In the midst of the 2025 legislative session, South Dakota Republican lawmakers are making efforts to restrict the state’s initiative and referendum process, dating back to 1898. The power of residents to propose laws and amend the constitution through petitions has led to progressive reforms in a conservative state. However, legislators are pushing back by making it harder for measures to reach the ballot and pass, citing concerns about direct democracy’s impact on the state’s laws.
Measures such as House Joint Resolution 5003, which would raise the voting threshold for constitutional amendments to 60%, are being proposed to limit the power of residents to influence state laws. Critics argue that these efforts are undermining direct democracy, preventing citizens from utilizing their voice.
Despite criticism from some legislators, direct democracy has historically been a tool for South Dakotans to enact change, such as raising the minimum wage and regulating payday lenders. Recent campaigns, such as the abortion rights measure and recreational marijuana legalization, have faced backlash and failed to pass.
As debates around direct democracy continue to unfold, advocates like Rick Weiland and Jim Leach are fighting to preserve citizens’ rights to propose and vote on laws. The battle over direct democracy in South Dakota highlights the tension between residents’ desire for change and lawmakers’ attempts to restrict the initiative and referendum process.
For more stories, visit sdnewswatch.org. Contact Stu Whitney at stu.whitney@sdnewswatch.org.
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