As most South Dakotans know by now, there are 10 issues on the ballot this year as constitutional amendments, initiated measures, and referred laws. Printed in regular newspaper type rather than the micro mini type that usually fills legal notices filled seven full pages in the Rapid City Journal. That included full text of the issues. Several examples with abbreviated explanations are available. The three Democrats running for the state legislature in our District 21 put together such an abbreviated information folder and had it included in local papers and shoppers. They included a kind of cheat sheet about 3x4 inches with yes/no check boxes. Billie H. Sutton, Gary Burrus and Julie Bartling provided a very useful brief for voters in this district.
They did not show their preferences for voting on the issues, but I have filled in one of the sheets with my preferences (which match those of Cory Heidelberger and Bernie Hunhoff and others) and also included a blank form as a PDF file you can save and print at a correct size. Ballot Measures Templates PDF
Add your own preferences to the blank template or take the easy way and use mine. Whatever, don't try to vote without having such a template or cheat sheet. Estimates are it might take 10 or 15 minutes to wade through everything unless you have your cheat sheet with you and ready to go. The truly sad thing about all of this is that much of these ballot measures would not be needed if our state legislature was more responsible and less retrograde partisan.
Below is a jpg copy of completed and blank templates you can view right here.
It can probably printed as well, but may be larger or smaller when printed as a jpg file. Your mileage may vary. Some of my yeses above are a bit tentative. They will be better than existing situation, but probably not the best options anyway. The "No" options are mostly egregious legislation or amendments which should not be in the SD Constitution, codified laws, or any other place for that matter. If you still haven't seen the Sec of State's explanations, you can check them at Ballot Measures Text and AG Opinion at SD Sec of State Site.
*** Stay tuned and wait for blessed relief. Election will be over in only a few more days--- Doug Wiken
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