Press Release – April 13, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2022
Contact:
Matthew Schweich
Campaign Director, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws
Press Release:
South Dakota Cannabis Legalization Campaign Announces “Final Push” on Signature Drive Before May 3 Deadline
The campaign currently has 13,500 valid signatures but needs 17,000 to qualify
Sioux Falls, SD — Today, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the political campaign leading the effort to place a recreational cannabis legalization initiative on the November 2022 ballot, held a press conference at its campaign headquarters in Sioux Falls.
“We’re within striking distance of having enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, but we’re feeling a little nervous,” said Matthew Schweich, campaign director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws. “We have no time to waste. There are only 20 days left until the deadline.”
Schweich announced that the campaign’s internal validation system conservatively estimates that the signature drive has produced 13,500 valid signatures. In order to qualify, the campaign must submit petitions containing 16,961 valid signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State by May 3.
“We want to have a sizable surplus of signatures when we submit our petitions to the Secretary of State,” added Schweich. “We don’t want to take any chances. This is our final push, and we need our supporters to sign the petition and, if possible, volunteer for the campaign.”
The campaign announced a number of specific actions designed to maximize signature collection over the next two weeks:
The campaign has established a “Petition Hotline” for South Dakotans to call or text 24 hours a day with any questions about signing the petition or volunteering – (605) 269-8552.
The campaign is hiring additional paid circulators and is encouraging all applicants to apply by calling or texting the Petition Hotline (605-269-8552). Positions start at $22 per hour.
The campaign will be holding a Drivethru Petition Signing Event this weekend in Rapid City (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT on Saturday, April 16and Sunday, April 17) at 230 E North St, Rapid City, SD 57701.
The campaign will be holding a Drivethru Petition Signing Event next weekend in Sioux Falls (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24) at its campaign headquarters located at 1020 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD.
The campaign is encouraging people who have signed the petition to fill out the “Signature Checker” on its website (www.sd2022.org/checker). This allows campaign staff to double check that a voter’s signature is valid and will be counted when the petitions are submitted.
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South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws (SDBML) is a registered South Dakota statewide ballot question committee.
