Amid complaints about big-money ballot measures, new reports show $12 million spent in 2024

Yahoo! News - Mar 29th, 2025
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South Dakota's 2024 ballot question campaigns were among the most expensive in state history, with a total of about $12 million spent to support and oppose seven measures. This significant spending has prompted Republican legislators to introduce bills aimed at tightening restrictions on citizen-initiated ballot measures. One such bill, which passed, moves the deadline for submitting petition signatures from May to February, effectively shortening the petition-gathering period by three months. Another bill, vetoed by Gov. Larry Rhoden, would have required constitutional amendment petitions to have signatures from registered voters in every state Senate district. Legislators are also considering a measure for the 2026 ballot to raise the approval threshold for constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%.

The heavy financial involvement in the 2024 ballot measures has spotlighted the influence of both in-state and out-of-state funds, with about 70% of the contributions coming from South Dakota residents. The most expensive campaigns included Amendment G, an abortion-rights measure, and Referred Law 21, regarding carbon dioxide pipeline regulations. Both were rejected by voters. The financial dynamics of these campaigns reflect broader national trends in ballot initiative spending and underscore the contentious nature of direct democracy in the state. The ongoing legislative actions suggest continued debate over the balance between citizen initiative rights and the influence of money in politics.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the financial and legislative dynamics surrounding South Dakota's 2024 ballot measures. It effectively highlights the significant spending involved and the legislative responses to perceived financial influences on the electoral process. The article is timely and addresses issues of public interest, such as campaign finance reform and voter participation.

However, the article could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, particularly those of voters and advocacy groups directly affected by the ballot measures. While the article is largely accurate, providing more detailed breakdowns of financial data and including firsthand insights from stakeholders could enhance its credibility and impact.

Overall, the article is well-structured and clear, making it accessible to readers interested in electoral processes and campaign finance. It has the potential to influence public opinion and drive discussions about the role of money in politics, though it could be more engaging by incorporating more human interest elements and exploring controversial aspects in greater depth.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article provides a detailed account of the financial aspects of South Dakota's 2024 ballot measures, including specific figures for spending on different campaigns. The claim that the total amount spent was about $12 million is consistent with available data. The historical comparison with the 2006 and 2016 elections, which reportedly had nearly $13 million in spending, is also accurate according to historical data sources. However, the article could improve accuracy by providing precise figures for individual campaigns, especially where combined expenditures are mentioned, such as Dakotans for Health's spending on Amendment G and the grocery tax measure. Overall, the article is largely accurate but would benefit from more detailed breakdowns of financial data.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the financial dynamics in South Dakota's ballot measures by highlighting concerns from both Republican legislators and campaign finance data. It mentions the motivations behind legislative actions and the arguments for and against various ballot measures. However, it tends to focus more on the financial aspects and legislative responses without delving deeply into the perspectives of those directly affected by the ballot measures, such as voters or advocacy groups. Including more voices from different stakeholders could enhance the balance of the article.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the financial and legislative aspects of the ballot measures. It uses straightforward language and provides sufficient context for understanding the significance of the financial figures and legislative actions. However, some sections could benefit from additional explanation, such as the implications of legislative changes on future ballot measures, to enhance reader comprehension.

6
Source quality

The article cites credible sources, such as campaign finance reports and historical data from Open Secrets, which lend authority to its claims. However, it lacks direct quotes or detailed attributions to individuals involved in the campaigns or legislative processes. Including comments from lawmakers, campaign organizers, or experts in campaign finance would strengthen the article's source quality by providing firsthand insights and corroborative viewpoints.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent about its methodology, noting the challenges of compiling campaign finance data due to South Dakota's system of scanned forms. It explains the basis for its financial claims and legislative context. However, it could improve transparency by detailing the specific sources of its data and any potential limitations or biases in the data collection process. Acknowledging these factors would provide readers with a clearer understanding of the article's foundation.

Sources

  1. https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/assets/2024%20Assets/2024GeneralBQPamphlet.FINALdocx.pdf
  2. https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/california-election-results-2024-19886526.php
  3. https://www.lawrence.sd.us/DocumentCenter/View/293/2024-General-Election-Full-Text-Ballot-Measure-PDF
  4. https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/upcoming-elections/general-information/2024/2024-ballot-questions.aspx
  5. https://www.opensecrets.org/ballot-measures/SD/2024/summary