SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — South Dakota is appealing a federal district court ruling that struck down a law passed last year imposing restrictions on people circulating petitions for ballot measures.
The bill, signed into law in March 2019, applies to people aiming to put a ballot measure up for a vote in an upcoming election. Under the law, anyone soliciting signatures for a petition to add their measure to the ballot would need to register with the state and wear a special badge.
U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann ruled the law unconstitutional on January 9. Kornmann pointed out the law applied differently to those who were in favor of and against a ballot measure, calling it a “blatant violation of the First Amendment.”
The state is appealing that decision to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one rung short of the Supreme Court.
