This bill amends existing laws regarding the nomination process for candidates for lieutenant governor in South Dakota. It establishes that a candidate for governor must nominate a lieutenant governor candidate by certifying the nomination to the secretary of state by 5 p.m. central time on the second Tuesday in August of the election year. Both the governor candidate and the nominee must sign this certification. Additionally, if a lieutenant governor candidate withdraws, the governor candidate is required to nominate a replacement by the same deadline, with both parties signing the new certification. The bill also stipulates that the secretary of state cannot place the governor candidate's name on the general election ballot until a lieutenant governor candidate has been certified.

Furthermore, the bill includes similar provisions for independent candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, ensuring that they follow the same nomination and withdrawal processes. The State Board of Elections is tasked with creating rules for the certification and withdrawal forms. The amendments to sections 12-5-21 and 12-7-1.2 reflect these changes, streamlining the nomination process and ensuring that candidates for governor are paired with a lieutenant governor candidate before appearing on the ballot.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/30/2025: 12-5-21, 12-7-1.2
Enrolled, 03/05/2025: 12-5-21, 12-7-1.2