A Federal Judge in Aberdeen says he could rule on South Dakota’s IM24 as early as the end of this week.
US District Judge Charles Kornmann told attorneys on Friday he would issue a written opinion on the matter of South Dakota’s ban on out of state contributions to ballot question initiatives no later than June 1.
The court heard more than 90 minutes of arguments and witness testimony and received hundreds of pages of written documentation and affidavits.
Kornmann said because the new law must be enacted on July 1, he was preparing to rule on a permanent injunction– meaning his ruling would be final, short of an appeal to the US Eighth Circuit.
He voiced concern regarding IM24 pointing out the law, “does not make an effort” to limit out of state contributions to elected officials and only impacts ballot question committees.
Judge Kornmann concluded Friday’s hearing saying his calendar was clear all week allowing him to work on his written opinion.
The South Dakota Broadcasters Association, of which the Dakota Radio Group is a member, is one of the plaintiffs in this case.
