South Dakota | Instant InitiativeInitiative Rules & Requirements
Direct Constitutional Amendment
- Signature Requirement
- 35,017 signatures required.
- Filing Deadline
- May 5, 2026.
- Filing Office
- https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/ballot-measures/default.aspx
- Filing Fee
- $0
- Review Process
- LRC (Legislative Research Council) reviews the text for style and form.
- Subject Restrictions
- Single-subject; cannot appropriate money.
- Distribution Rules
- None.
- Circulator Rules
- Must be a resident (30 days) and 18+.
- Ballot Title Process
- Attorney General prepares the title and explanation.
Last verified: 3/29/2026
Direct Statute Initiative
- Signature Requirement
- 17,508 signatures required.
- Filing Deadline
- May 5, 2026.
- Filing Office
- https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/ballot-measures/default.aspx
Review ProcessLRC (Legislative Research Council) reviews the text for style and form. Subject RestrictionsSingle-subject; cannot appropriate money. Circulator RulesMust be a resident (30 days) and 18+. Ballot Title ProcessAttorney General prepares the title and explanation. Notes: South Dakota was the first state to adopt the initiative (1898) and maintains low signature thresholds.
Referendum
- Signature Requirement
- Statutory: 17,508; Constitutional: 35,017 signatures required.
- Filing Deadline
- May 5, 2026.
- Filing Office
- https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/ballot-measures/default.aspx
- Filing Fee
- $0
- Review Process
- LRC (Legislative Research Council) reviews the text for style and form.
- Subject Restrictions
- Single-subject; cannot appropriate money.
- Distribution Rules
- None.
- Circulator Rules
- Must be a resident (30 days) and 18+.
- Ballot Title Process
- Attorney General prepares the title and explanation.
Last verified: 3/29/2026
