Simplified: South Dakota voters doubled down on citizenship requirements in the state constitution, but they rejected a proposed change to raise the threshold to pass a constitutional amendment. Here's a closer look at how all four ballot measures fared in Tuesday's election.

Why it matters

  • All four of the ballot questions decided Tuesday were brought forward by the South Dakota legislature as proposed changes to the state constitution. Constitutional amendments are one form of direct democracy in the State of South Dakota.
  • Voters passed two of the four measures Tuesday – one to more explicitly state that only citizens are eligible to vote, and another to establish a trust for the state's unclaimed property fund.
  • Voters rejected proposals to repeal Medicaid expansion if the federal funding drops below 90%. They also rejected a proposed change to require 60% of voters to approve future constitutional amendments. That measure failed with 58% voting, "no."

Give me the full breakdown

Constitutional Amendment I: Medicaid expansion

  • Yes: 44%
  • No: 56%

What does it mean? Voters essentially agreed to keep Medicaid expansion written into the state constitution (a move initially approved in 2023). That means even if the federal government support drops below 90%, the state will still have to fund Medicaid for qualifying adults.

Constitutional Amendment J: Citizenship requirement

  • Yes: 63%
  • No: 38%

What does it mean: The state constitution will be updated to include language stating people who do not have U.S. citizenship cannot vote in elections.  The constitution already listed citizenship as a required qualification for voting, so this amendment just doubles down on that.

Constitutional Amendment K: Trust for unclaimed property

  • Yes: 61%
  • No: 39%

What does it mean? The state will be able to earn some interest on the money that's previously just been sitting metaphorically collecting dust in the state's unclaimed property cache.

Constitutional Amendment L: 60% to pass amendments

  • Yes: 42%
  • No: 58%

What does it mean? Voters will be able to continue to amend the state constitution with a simple majority vote.