Noem signs bill allowing the withdrawal of signatures from petitions

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill allowing ballot initiative petition signers to revoke their signatures.

Opponents decry the new law as a jab at direct democracy and an attempt to blunt a proposed abortion rights initiative. Noem signed the bill on Friday.

The Republican-led Legislature overwhelmingly passed the bill from Republican Rep. Jon Hansen, who leads a group opposing the abortion rights initiative. Hansen says he brought the bill to counter misleading or fraudulent initiative tactics.

Democrats tabbed Hansen’s bill as “changing the rules in the middle of the game,” and called it open to potential abuse.

March 18, 2024