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require a copy of any initiated measure or amendment on the ballot be provided to voters.

South Dakota voters will now receive a full printed copy of any initiated measure or constitutional amendment they're voting on, not just the title and explanation. The sponsoring organization behind the initiated measure or amendment must pay for printing and mailing these copies to voters. This ensures voters have the complete text of what they're voting on before they cast their ballots.

allow a change of voter registration information through an online system provided by the Office of the Secretary of State.

SB24 allows South Dakota voters to update their voter registration information online through a system created by the Secretary of State, rather than requiring them to use only paper forms or in-person registration. This makes it easier for voters to change their address, name, or other registration details without having to visit an election office or mail in paperwork.

modify the time period for absentee voting.

# HB 1245 Summary HB 1245 changes the rules for when South Dakota voters can cast absentee ballots by modifying the time period allowed for absentee voting. The bill amends the existing absentee voting law to adjust when voters can submit their ballots before an election. The specific details of how the timing changes are contained in the revised statute.

revise certain provisions regarding absentee ballots.

This bill clarifies the rules for mailing absentee ballots in South Dakota by requiring voters to first comply with specific application procedures before the Secretary of State can send them a ballot. It also specifies that absentee ballot applications can only be mailed if a voter has actually requested one, preventing unsolicited applications from being sent out.

authorize the recall of county commissioners.

South Dakota voters would gain the power to remove county commissioners from office before their terms end through a recall election, if they gather signatures from either 15% of voters in the commissioner's district or 5% of county voters. The recall can only proceed if the petition specifies legitimate grounds such as misconduct, corruption, incompetence, or crimes in office, and signatures must be collected within 60 days before filing with the county auditor.

make an appropriation for the purchase of a new online voter registration system and to declare an emergency.

South Dakota is appropriating money to purchase a new online voter registration system to replace the current one. The bill updates the state's voter registration laws to support this new system and declares an emergency so the funding can be used immediately rather than waiting for the next budget cycle.

protect voter registration information for certain voters.

This bill allows domestic violence victims and people living in domestic violence shelters to register as "secured active" voters, which keeps their voter registration information private and hidden from public records. Law enforcement agencies and courts can still access this information, but the general public cannot. The protected status lasts for five years and can be renewed or cancelled at the voter's request.

authorize ranked-choice voting for certain local elections.

South Dakota cities may now adopt ranked-choice voting for their local elections if they choose to do so through a municipal ordinance. Under this system, voters rank candidates by preference, and if no candidate wins an outright majority on the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and those votes redistributed based on voters' next choices, repeating until someone achieves a majority. This gives municipalities the option to use ranked-choice voting instead of the current plurality voting system, but doesn't require them to do so.

revise certain references to secondary elections.

HB1119 updates South Dakota's election law to use consistent language about runoff elections in municipal races, changing references from "secondary elections" to "secondary runoff election" to clarify the specific type of election being discussed. The bill specifies that when a municipal election goes to a runoff round, absentee ballots must be available at least seven days before the runoff election day, rather than the standard fifteen days for regular municipal elections.

Proposing and submitting to the voters at the 2022 general election a new section to Article XII of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the creation and administration of the South Dakota forever trust fund.

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to create the South Dakota Forever Trust Fund, which would be submitted to voters in the 2022 general election. The amendment would establish a new section in the state constitution to govern how this trust fund is created and managed. If approved by voters, this would allow South Dakota to establish a permanent investment fund (similar to endowments used by universities or foundations).

require a comment period for the attorney general's statement regarding initiated measures and initiated amendments.

SB 123 requires the South General's office to allow public comments before issuing its official statement about initiated measures and amendments that appear on the ballot. This change gives South Dakota voters and interested parties a chance to provide input before the state's top legal official publishes guidance on these ballot questions.