South Dakota loses appeal on deadline for constitutional amendments
State argued it needed more time to allow for pre-election lawsuits, challenges
A divided appeals court ruled Tuesday that South Dakota’s nine-month deadline for submitting petitions to amend the state Constitution violates the First Amendment.
The 2-1 opinion effectively establishes a six-month deadline, in keeping with an earlier decision from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that struck down a one-year deadline.
The deadline of nine months was established by the South Dakota Legislature in 2025 following the earlier court decision. It was challenged by Dakotans for Health, an advocacy group that has spearheaded several ballot measures over the years.
South Dakota AG finds that local governments broke laws meant to safeguard taxpayers
South Dakota school districts and other local governments have been put on notice that a common practice for awarding contracts to build sporting facilities has not complied with South Dakota law.
