GOP lawmakers target alleged misinformation by petition circulators in South Dakota

Measure would create process for initiated measure signatures to be withdrawn

PIERRE — Republicans in the state Capitol are racing to allow voters who regret signing onto initiated measures to rescind their signatures ahead of this year’s election.

A measure advancing through the state House this week targets a number of petition drives underway in South Dakota that are unpopular with the state Republican Party.

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Proponents of House 1244 say the measure is necessary because petition circulators are sometimes misleading or misinforming voters when approached to sign a petition. But voter advocacy groups say South Dakota election laws already prohibit that kind of conduct by circulators.

“We’ve got a process that’s supposed to help inform the public … but you can see example after example where that’s not being followed,” Rep. Jon Hansen said this week. “House Bill 1244 sets up a simple process so you can be able to withdraw that signature.”

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