VIEWPOINT | Legislature's attacks on direct democracy relentless

Guest column by Joe Kirby, a government reform advocate

Joe Kirby

Here they go again. The South Dakota Legislature is once again pushing legislation that threatens our long-established initiative rights. This is not the first time — over the past several years, they have repeatedly attempted to restrict the people’s ability to shape policy. Yet time and again, both the courts and voters have rejected these efforts. Unfortunately, our legislators still aren’t getting the message. The underlying goal is clear: limit or eliminate the people’s ability to make their own decisions at the ballot box.

This year, multiple proposals aim to make it harder for South Dakotans to exercise their initiative rights. One proposal seeks to shorten the timeframe for gathering petition signatures. Another would require a 60 percent supermajority to amend the state constitution.

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