Open primaries, cannabis legalization efforts beat signature deadline, signal busy fall ballot

Medical marijuana repeal effort won't make ballot

Proponents for open primaries in South Dakota turn in their petitions Monday. (Submitted)

South Dakota voters could see a crowded ballot in November’s general election.

Petition circulators proposing to move the state to an open primary system and legalize adult-use cannabis this week submitted signatures to place ballot questions before voters — triggering a review by the Secretary of State’s office.

But marijuana and partisan nominations for office aren’t the only topics South Dakotans could have to consider when they head to the polls this fall. Repealing the state’s food tax, establishing abortion rights in the state Constitution, Gov. Kristi Noem’s push to make the Constitution gender-neutral, the Legislature’s authority to establish work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and a potential referendum on pipeline policy adopted by the Legislature could also end up on the November ballot.

While landowner rights advocates have until later this summer to gather signatures in hopes of referring the Legislative-approved pipeline rules to voters, the other aforementioned signatures drives — proposed initiated measures and Constitutional amendments — beat a May 7 deadline.

And in some cases, just by a few hours.

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