This bill amends various sections of South Dakota law to establish permissible dates for municipal and school district elections, allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling. Specifically, it stipulates that elections for municipal officers must occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June or November, and it permits municipalities to hold general elections in odd-numbered years in conjunction with regular school district elections, provided both governing bodies agree. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for extending the terms of office holders until their successors are elected and qualified, depending on the timing of the elections.

The bill also includes several amendments to the nomination process for candidates, such as the requirement for nominating petitions to be filed by a specific deadline and the verification process for candidates' eligibility. It repeals certain outdated provisions and clarifies the responsibilities of municipal and school district governing bodies regarding election expenses and procedures. The changes aim to streamline the election process and ensure that elections are conducted efficiently and in accordance with updated timelines. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2025: 9-13-1, 9-13-1.1, 9-13-5, 9-13-6, 9-13-6.1, 9-13-7, 9-13-9, 9-13-14.1, 9-13-25, 9-13-31, 9-13-37, 13-7-5, 13-7-6, 13-7-9, 13-7-10, 13-7-10.1, 13-7-10.3, 13-8-14, 9-13-1.2, 9-13-40, 13-7-10.2, 13-7-10.4
Enrolled, 03/11/2025: 9-13-1, 9-13-1.1, 9-13-5, 9-13-6, 9-13-6.1, 9-13-7, 9-13-9, 9-13-14.1, 9-13-25, 9-13-31, 9-13-37, 13-7-5, 13-7-6, 13-7-9, 13-7-10, 13-7-10.1, 13-7-10.3, 13-8-14, 9-13-1.2, 9-13-40, 13-7-10.2, 13-7-10.4