HB1198

This bill changes how South Dakota political parties nominate candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state by requiring the gubernatorial candidate to directly nominate their running mate for lieutenant governor and certify that choice to the secretary of state by the second Tuesday in August of an election year. It also allows a nominated lieutenant governor candidate to withdraw before the first Tuesday in August, and requires the governor's candidate to nominate a replacement if needed. The bill essentially shifts control of these nominations from the party convention process to the individual candidate for governor.