Coalition declares partial victory in effort to defeat Legislature’s attempt to unfairly hamstring petition process
A significant step forward has been taken in a coalition’s efforts (Editor’s note: the coalition’s member organizations are listed at the end of this piece.) to address the issues surrounding HB 1244. The bill, aimed at creating a petition signature withdrawal process, underwent amendments resulting in its passage through the Senate State Affairs Committee (housed in the state capitol pictured above in an image from the S.D. state legislature’s Facebook page) .
The coalition’s work to highlight the concerns with HB 1244 led to crucial amendments to the bill. While we acknowledge the improvements made, we maintain our stance that this bill should be defeated on the Senate floor.
The amended bill allows withdrawals of signatures after the filing of a petition with the secretary of state. This is unfair as circulators are not able to continue gathering signatures after filing.
Furthermore, the absence of a presented rationale for the emergency clause still attached to the bill is glaring. The emergency clause’s presence means the bill would take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, changing the rules midway through the current petition process. Additionally, the clause prevents the bill from being referred to the people for a vote.
During the committee meeting, bill sponsors alleged that unnamed individuals had been provided incorrect information that led them to sign petitions they did not agree with. Current state law requires full petition wording in 14-point font on the petition they are signing, as well as requiring the attorney general’s explanation to be printed and offered to anyone signing a petition. The Secretary of State’s website also offers public access to information about all petitions.
Individuals signing a petition have plenty of opportunity to familiarize themselves with a petition before they sign, and are not solely reliant on the circulator’s explanations and opinions. If they choose to sign, they have the freedom to do so.
The coalition is committed to serve as a “watchdog” on this bill.
I extend my gratitude to the 18 coalition organizations and their members who actively engaged with legislators to protect voter rights. Our mission remains ongoing. We will work with citizens groups, legal scholars, and voters from all sides to defend democracy and empower voters. The effort to defeat HB 1244 continues.
Coalition members include the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, South Dakota Advocacy Network for Women, South Dakota Farmers Union, Dakotans for Health, TakeItBack.org, South Dakotans for Healthy Families, American Association of University Women — Rapid City, Voter Defense Association, Change Agents South Dakota, Dakota Rural Action, Teamsters Local 120, Open Primaries, Common Grounds Indivisible South Dakota, ACLU South Dakota, Democracy in Action, Zonta Club of the Southern Black Hills, Sisters United, and the South Dakota State Federation of Labor AFL-CIO.
Amy Scott-Stoltz is the president of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota.
