South Dakota’s Democratic leaders buck party neutrality on Open Primaries

State party chair, executive director not supporting Amendment H

There’s at least one topic leaders from the state’s Democratic and Republican parties agree on: They don’t want their candidates on the same primary ballot.

Despite the taking no official position on a proposed constitutional amendment that would create an “Open Primary” election system here, the South Dakota Democratic Party’s top officials aren’t ready to ditch a party-controlled nomination process.

While a “top two” primary is touted as more inclusive to all voters — any registered voter could participate regardless of party affiliation — and could advance more moderate candidates to the general ballot, it’d be a blow to party autonomy. And South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Dan Ahlers and SDDP Chairman Shane Merrill predict Amendment H would hurt more than help the state’s already-challenged minority political party.

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