A plan that would have barred ballot initiatives from being redone if they had lost in the previous election was recently rejected by South Dakota senators. Given that South Dakota was the first state to codify the ballot measure process, this proposal has drawn criticism for interfering with individuals’ right to directly alter state laws.

“The voters just said no. Can’t we respect the will of the voters for at least one election cycle?” asked Rep. Fred Deutsch, who spearheaded the proposal.

The proposed amendment needs to win a majority in the upcoming election in order to become law. Strong resistance has been raised because of the argument that the legislation’s ambiguous phrasing would lead to numerous lawsuits. The amendment’s opponents think it would restrict citizens’ ability to exercise their right to self-government.

In addition to the proposed amendment, the Attorney General’s measure, which would make it a crime for circulators of ballot petitions to lie, is also being considered by the Legislature. There have been differing opinions about this law; some believe it will burden circulators unnecessarily and deter individuals from participating in the ballot measure process.

Ultimately, the proposal to prevent ballot measures from being reconsidered if they had failed in the previous election was rejected. The Legislature is still considering the bill proposed by the Attorney General, which would make it a felony for ballot petition circulators to commit perjury.