Legislature Rejects Every Proposed Ballot Measure Except Senate Privilege

The Senate’s defeat of House Joint Resolution 5001 yesterday whittled down the possible ballot measures the 2026 Legislature will put on the general election ballot to one… and it’s the one that has the least to do with regular South Dakotans’ welfare.

Last Wednesday House State Affairs killed SJR 501, which would have invited voters to limit legislators to eight consecutive terms. The only current legislator who would have been affected, 12-term Rep. Al Novstrup (R-3/Aberdeen) testified against SJR 501, and House State Affairs voted 9–3 to defer the term limits ballot measure to the 41st day.

At the same hearing, House State Affairs almost let South Dakotans vote on online sports betting. Gambling and tourism lobbyists turned out in support of SJR 504, which would legalize online sports betting hosted by Deadwood casinos to generate revenue mostly for property tax relief. But the Concerned Women of America put down their fetus fetish and testified against more gambling… although I suspect they just didn’t want the issue going to a public vote, because the public includes a lot of women, and CWA is gravely concerned about women making their own decisions. CWA joined the Catholic Conference and representatives of the Cheyenne River and Oglala Sioux Tribes (both of whom profit from gambling) in testifying against SJR 504, and a Do Pass motion failed 6–7.

The only ballot measure that the Legislature may yet put on the ballot is the pettiest, most privilege-preserving, least people-serving measure of the eight questions legislators have proposed this year: SJR 508, the Senate’s proposal to boot the Lieutenant Governor off the Senate podium and allow Senators to elect their own presiding officer. House State Affairs heard the Senate’s naked power play and, incredibly, decided to play along, voting 9–3 to send SJR 508 to the full House. I guess with SJR 501’s term limits gone, House members continue to look forward to changing chambers and going on the same ego trip as SJR 508’s sponsors.

So, to recap, legislators don’t want you voting on property tax relief, eminent domain for economic development, Medicaid expansion repeal, Legislative term limits, or online sports betting. They do want you to vote on changing the South Dakota Constitution to give Senators more power. If the House agrees to put the Lieutenant Governor’s role as Senate President on the ballot, remember your legislators’ priorities when you cast your votes.