Abortion rights group says it has more than enough signatures to force vote

Dakotans for Health will turn in petitions a week ahead of May 7 deadline

The group seeking to overturn South Dakota’s abortion ban announced Wednesday it will turn in more than 55,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office, capping a nearly 18-month effort to bring a constitutional amendment to voters.

Dakotans for Health planned to submit the signatures in Pierre on Wednesday afternoon, triggering an automatic random review of signatures before the amendment can be certified for the ballot in November. Group co-founder Rick Weiland said he is confident they would withstand any challenges.

“We know there’s going to be enough,” he said. About 37,000 valid signatures are required to qualify.

Weiland was joined by reproductive rights activist Tiffany Campbell and Watertown lawyer Nancy Turbak during a press conference in downtown Sioux Falls. They were joined by about three dozen supporters.

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