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Contact: Press Office
Dakotans for Health
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Coalition Declares Partial Victory to Defeat Legislature’s Attempt to Hamstring Petition Process - HB 1244
February 29, 2024
Sioux Falls, SD...Today, Amy Scott-Stoltz, President of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, announced a significant step forward in the coalition's efforts to address the issues surrounding HB 1244. The bill, aimed at creating a petition signature withdrawal process, underwent amendments resulting in its passage through the Senate State Affairs committee.
“The coalition’s work to highlight the concerns with HB 1244 led to crucial amendments to the bill,” stated Scott-Stoltz. “While we acknowledge the improvements made, we maintain our stance that this bill should be defeated on the Senate floor.” The amended bill allows withdrawals of signatures after the filing of a petition with the Secretary of State. However, Scott-Stoltz pointed out, “This is unfair as circulators are not able to continue gathering signatures after filing.”
Furthermore, she emphasized the absence of a presented rationale for the Emergency Clause still attached to the bill. “The Emergency Clause’s presence means the bill would take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature, changing the rules midway through the current petition process,” Scott-Stoltz explained. “Additionally, the clause prevents the bill from being referred to the people for a vote.”
During the committee meeting, bill sponsors alleged that unnamed individuals had been provided incorrect information that led them to sign petitions they did not agree with. Current state law requires full petition wording in 14-point font on the petition they are signing, as well as requiring the Attorney General’s explanation to be printed and offered to anyone signing a petition. The Secretary of State’s website also offers public access to information about all petitions. Scott-Stoltz stated, “Individuals signing a petition have plenty of opportunity to familiarize themselves with a petition before they sign, and are not solely reliant on the circulator’s explanations and opinions. If they choose to sign, they have the freedom to do so.”
Looking ahead, Scott-Stoltz reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to serve as a “watchdog.” “I extend my gratitude to the 18 coalition organizations and their members who actively engaged with legislators to protect voter rights. Our mission remains ongoing. We will work with citizens groups, legal scholars, and voters from all sides to defend democracy and empower voters,” she stated. “The effort to defeat HB 1244 continues.”
Coalition members include the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, South Dakota Advocacy Network for Women, South Dakota Farmers Union, Dakotans for Health, TakeItBack.org, South Dakotans for Healthy Families, American Association of University Women - Rapid City, Voter Defense Association, Change Agents South Dakota, Dakota Rural Action, Teamsters Local 120, Open Primaries, Common Grounds Indivisible South Dakota, ACLU South Dakota, Democracy in Action, Zonta Club of the Southern Black Hills, Sisters United, and the South Dakota State Federation of Labor AFL-CIO.
About Dakotans for Health:
Dakotans for Health is an advocacy group committed to promoting public health policies and initiatives that empower South Dakota residents. By championing the Freedom Amendment, Dakotans for Health seeks to ensure that every individual has the right to make personal decisions about their own bodies and futures.
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