Simplified: Voters will weigh in on four ballot measures this November, and all four of them have the potential to change the state constitution. Here's a closer look at what's proposed, and what your vote would mean.

Why it matters

  • Constitutional amendments are one form of direct democracy in the State of South Dakota. The constitution can only change via amendment, and these amendments must be approved by a majority of voters.
  • Amendments make it onto the ballot by one of two ways. First, a majority vote in the legislature can put an amendment on the ballot. Second, voters can propose an amendment on the ballot if they get enough signatures (i.e. 10% of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election).
  • In all cases on the Nov. 3 ballot, the amendments were brought by the South Dakota legislature. Overall, a "yes" vote will change the constitution and a "no" vote will leave it as it stands now. Here's a closer look at what that means.

What are the amendments?

Constitutional Amendment I

What it says on the ballot: "An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution that Repeals Expanded Medicaid Coverage if Federal Funding for the Program Drops below 90%."*

What it means: Voters in 2023 approved Medicaid expansion – meaning more people were eligible to receive Medicaid benefits, primarily single adults 18-65. Right now, South Dakotans pay 10% of the costs for that expansion, while the federal government covers the remaining 90%.

  • If approved, this amendment would repeal Medicaid expansion – essentially taking away Medicaid benefits from those who gained them after the 2023 vote. That would only happen if the federal government dropped its support for Medicaid below 90%.
  • That said, the federal government has already begun rolling back Medicaid benefits, most recently impacting refugees, who no longer qualify for Medicaid (including in South Dakota).
  • Proponents of this measure say it'd protect the state budget, because even covering only 10%, Medicaid is one of the largest budget items.

A 'yes' vote: Adopts the amendment, which allows for the repeal of Medicaid expansion if the federal government lessens its support. In this case, Medicaid would go back to only covering low-income children, pregnant women, disabled individuals and the elderly.

A 'no' vote: Leaves the constitution as-is, preserving access to Medicaid for those individuals 18 to 65 who fall at or below 133% of the federal poverty line.

*Why they capitalize every word is beyond me, but that's how it's written on the ballot.

Constitutional Amendment J

What it says on the ballot: "An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Clarifying that an Individual Must Be a Citizen of the United States to be Eligible to Vote."

What it means: This updates the constitution to specify that people who do not have U.S. citizenship cannot vote in elections. The constitution already lists citizenship as a required qualification for voting, so this amendment just doubles down on that.

  • Proponents say it makes it "unmistakably clear" that only a U.S. Citizen can vote. Opponents say it doesn't change who is eligible to vote, U.S. citizens, but could have the consequence of giving bad actors a tool to deny a voter by challenging their citizenship.

A 'yes' vote: Changes the constitution to add "not being a citizen of the United States" to the lists of reasons why a person could be prohibited from voting.

A 'no' vote: Leaves the constitution as it is, with citizenship listed as a requirement for voting.

Constitutional Amendment K

What it says on the ballot: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Establishing the Trust for Unclaimed Property Fund.

What it means: This amendment would establish a trust fund for unclaimed property, e.g. traveler's checks, money orders, refunds, etc. Any interest earned or income from that fund would then be distributed to the state's general fund.

  • No proponents spoke against this one, and the state treasurer described it as a "win-win."

A 'yes' vote: Amends the constitution and allows the state to set up a trust.

A 'no' vote: Leaves the constitution as it stands now.

Constitutional Amendment L

What it says on the ballot: "An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Requiring that a Proposed Constitutional Amendment or Revision Receive an Affirmative Vote of Sixty Percent of the Votes Cast."

What it means: This amendment would raise the threshold for passing a constitutional amendment in the future. Right now, change can happen with a simple majority of voters, i.e. over 50%. If this amendment passes, it'd make it more difficult for voters to change the constitution by raising that to 60%.

A yes vote: Adopts the amendment, which means it'd take 60% of voters to change the constitution in the future.

A no vote: Leaves the constitution as it stands now.

What happens next?

Election Day is Nov. 3.

You can check your voter registration on the Secretary of State's voter information portal. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 19.