A state organization representing many of the towns in South Dakota is encouraging people to vote “no” on Amendment C on the June 7, 2022, primary ballot.
Executive Director for the South Dakota Municipal League Yvonne Taylor says city leaders recognize Amendment C is confusing and unnecessary. If passed, she says the amendment would permanently change the state constitution to end majority rule for ballot measures by requiring a 60% approval of the voters for any future ballot measure that increases taxes or spends $10 million over five years.
Taylor says it’s unfair for 41% of the electorate to be able to thwart the other 59% on tax policy. She says Amendment C limits the citizens’ ability to implement important public projects– such as law enforcement, rural hospitals, nursing homes or schools– even if the majority of voters want them funded.
Taylor says South Dakota has operated on a simple majority vote since creating the ballot initiative process in 1898. She says this amendment would severely inhibit voter engagement and citizen-initiated ballot measures.
The Municipal League provides a break-down of the proposed amendment on their website, SDmunicipalLeague.org. In the piece, Taylor explains the amendment step-by-step, also pointing out its other issues: the timing of placing it on the ballot, the lack of clarity to determine which measures would be affected, and how it benefits out-of-state special interest groups.
South Dakota’s primary election is June 7, 2022, with early voting already taking place. The deadline to register to vote in that election is May 23, 2022. All registered voters can weigh in on the Amendment C question, regardless of party affiliation.
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