Dear Editor,
On June 7th, South Dakotans will vote in a primary election for many elected officials, but the most consequential issue on the ballot requiring voter attention is Amendment C–an anti-democratic proposal to change our state constitution. Amendment C would disempower voters by imposing a 60% supermajority requirement for any ballot measure increasing taxes or requiring the state to spend more than $10 million over a five year period.
As a pro-democracy candidate, I strongly oppose Amendment C. In 1898, South Dakota was the first state to adopt the statewide ballot initiative and referendum process after a prolonged clash with legislators who did not want to share power with the people.
If a 60% supermajority had been required in 1898, we would not even have the ballot initiative and referendum process today because it didn’t receive 60% of the vote.
Our current state legislators have repeatedly demonstrated the same contempt for the will of the people by overturning multiple voter-approved ballot initiatives in recent years. Amendment C surrenders the people’s hard-won power to these same legislators who freely ignore their wishes.
Bottom line, this is not good for South Dakota so I urge everyone who cares about democracy to vote no on Amendment C.
The amendment is opposed by South Dakotans for Fair Elections, Dakotans for Health, the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, and many mayors, business owners, and local community members. South Dakotans need to stand up to ensure that this constitutional amendment is soundly rejected.
Republicans in the state are so scared that they can’t stop the will of the people on ballot initiatives that they are trying to change the rules and hide this naked power grab by not putting it on the ballot in the general election, but in the primary. South Dakotans know this for the cheap, political trick it is.
-Brian Bengs, Aberdeen, South Dakota
