The bill amends existing laws regarding the nomination process for candidates for lieutenant governor in South Dakota. It establishes that a candidate for governor must certify their nomination for lieutenant governor 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 lieutenant governor 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's name on the general election ballot until a lieutenant governor candidate has been certified.

Furthermore, the bill includes similar provisions for independent candidates, requiring them to nominate a lieutenant governor candidate by the same deadline and follow the same withdrawal and replacement process. 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, ensuring a clear and structured process for the nomination of lieutenant governor candidates alongside the governor candidates.

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