The South Dakota House of Representatives meets on Feb. 6, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)
The South Dakota House of Representatives voted to support a bill on Thursday in Pierre to change a nominating petition deadline for state and local election candidates.
Lawmakers voted 64-4 to change the nominating petition deadline to the third Tuesday in March, rather than various dates currently in law, including March 31 for some candidates.
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The bill originally failed on the floor this week but was revived after Rep. Rebecca Reimer, R-Chamberlain, removed an emergency clause that would have made the bill become law immediately. If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the bill will become law on July 1, the usual effective date of legislation, and won’t impact current petition drives for the upcoming June primary election.
A nominating petition signed by registered voters is required for local and statewide South Dakota candidates to get on the ballot, with signature thresholds varying by position. Prospective candidates were allowed to begin circulating petitions in January.
Reimer said the bill was “cleanup work” intended to address challenges for county auditors created by a law adopted last year requiring local governments to hold elections on the same day as the primary or general election.
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