The bill amends existing laws regarding the requirements for nominating petitions and ballot question petitions in South Dakota. It stipulates that all proposed measures by initiative must be presented by petition signed by at least five percent of the qualified electors. Additionally, when signing a petition, individuals are required to provide their name, signature, current registered address, county of registration, and the date of signing. The bill also clarifies that signatures will not be counted if the individual is not a registered voter in the indicated county or if the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific conditions under which an individual may sign a candidate's nominating petition, including restrictions based on the timing of the signature, voter eligibility, party affiliation, and the number of candidates signed for the same office. It mandates that the candidate must sign a formal declaration of candidacy before the petition can be circulated, and this declaration must accompany the petition upon filing. The bill also emphasizes that the petition must be verified under oath by the circulator, with penalties for false attestations. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the integrity and transparency of the petition process in South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 02/05/2025: 2-1-1, 2-1-15, 12-6-8
House State Affairs Engrossed, 02/13/2025: 2-1-1, 2-1-15, 12-6-8