South DakotaSouth Dakota primary ballots list local candidates and omit judicial party labels
South Dakota’s signed law sets rules for listing local committee and judicial candidates on primary ballots, and took effect after passage and approval.
What it does
County auditors must list precinct committee candidates on the primary ballot, following the State Board of Elections’ directions.
When a primary nominates judicial candidates, the ballot must list them in the secretary of state’s order and leave off party labels.
The Act repeals two code sections about ballot requirements; the enrolled text does not explain what those sections contain.
Argument forPutting precinct committee candidates on primary ballots could make it easier for voters to find and choose these local party representatives.
Argument againstLeaving party labels off judicial candidates could make it harder for some voters to use party preference when choosing among them.
More detail
County auditors must list each precinct committee candidate on the official primary ballot, as the State Board of Elections directs. This applies to candidates for precinct committeeman or committeewoman and to county auditors preparing primary ballots.
The primary ballot must list each judicial candidate in the secretary of state’s order, without a party label. This applies to primary elections where candidates for judicial office are being nominated.
The Act repeals two South Dakota code sections. The Act’s title describes the sections as concerning ballot requirements, but the enrolled text does not give their contents.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 5Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-05 S.J. 474Became Law
- Mar 4Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-04 S.J. 455To Governor
- Mar 3Signed by the Speaker H.J. 493Passed House
- Mar 2Signed by the President S.J. 434Passed Senate
- Feb 26House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 61, NAYS 5 H.J. 460
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 0Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 6Referred to House State Affairs H.J. 247Minor
- Feb 5First Reading House H.J. 238
- Feb 4Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 183
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 2State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 0 S.J. 11
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 2State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 11 Amendment 32AMajor
- Feb 2Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
- Jan 13First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 15Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting