Statement Regarding the Defeat of Amendment C

See below for a statement from Matthew Schweich, campaign director for South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, regarding the defeat of Amendment C:

Yesterday, South Dakota voters strongly rejected an attempt by the state legislature to weaken the ballot initiative process. Amendment C’s crushing 67% to 33% defeat sends a powerful message to the political establishment – keep your hands off our ballot initiatives.

Amendment C was decided in the South Dakota primary election. In my opinion, the Legislature's attempt to unnecessarily amend the South Dakota Constitution in a June primary – let alone amend a portion of the Constitution concerning the rights of voters – was shameful.

Putting aside the indefensible timing of Amendment C, it was also deeply flawed in terms of substance. Applying a 60% threshold for passage of a ballot question on the subjective basis of future fiscal impact estimates is an absolutely terrible idea.

Amendment C, from the perspectives of both process and policy, was abysmal. South Dakota voters gave it the embarrassing ending that it deserved.

A wide range of groups opposed Amendment C including good government groups, farmers, teachers, nurses, healthcare groups, the SD Chamber of Commerce, and cannabis reform advocates such as ourselves. The anti-C campaign was spearheaded by South Dakotans for Fair Elections.

South Dakotans for Fair Elections did great work raising public awareness of the damage that Amendment C would cause. I believe that the diverse tapestry of opposition fortified the message that Amendment C crossed idealogical and party lines. This was a sneaky power grab by politicians in Pierre, and nobody likes that.

Yesterday was my first time voting in SD and I feel fortunate that it was the same day when voters emphatically rejected a ballot question that I so strongly disliked.

I've spent most of my career working on ballot campaigns. I've seen the tremendous power of initiatives to make change when the will of the people is being disrespected. Amendment C wasn't just bad. It was an insult.

By rejecting Amendment C, voters in South Dakota have successfully defended their constitutional ballot initiative rights. They have also protected the state’s heritage. South Dakota is the birthplace of the American ballot initiative, an idea that has since spread across the nation.

That idea is a simple one – voters should have a recourse to effectuate changes in public policy when elected officials ignore their views. Amendment C’s defeat ensures that this principle will be upheld in South Dakota.

(Updated at 9:30 am CT on 6/8/22)

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