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South DakotaHB 1095101st South Dakota Legislature (2026)House

modify provisions pertaining to the submission of a nominating petition.

Sponsored By: Hulse, Amber (Republican), Reimer, Rebecca (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsEmergency ClauseMunicipal GovernmentPetitionsSchool Districts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Municipal candidates face set petition deadlines

Municipal candidates must file petitions with the municipal finance officer by 5 p.m. local time. Deadlines are the third Tuesday of March for June elections and the third Tuesday of August for November elections. Circulation cannot start before January 1 for June elections or June 1 for November elections. Candidates must be registered voters in the municipality or ward, and signers must be registered voters in the relevant area. State petition forms require the candidate's name, home address, office sought, and signing dates; a mailing address is optional. Signers in second- or third-class municipalities can use a post office box instead of a street address. Local officials must sign verification of residency and minimum signatures before filing counts as nomination. Even-year elections must join the regular June primary or November general election, with participating governments agreeing on costs and duties. Municipal officials must certify candidates and ballot questions to county auditors by the first Friday after the filing deadline.

Primary candidates face March filing deadline

Nonpresidential primary candidates must file petitions after December 31 and before 5 p.m. local time on the third Tuesday of March. This deadline falls before the primary and remains subject to the law's specified exceptions. Legislative, judicial, and multi-county office petitions go to the Secretary of State. County office petitions go to the county auditor. Meeting the filing rules is required for a place on the party's official primary ballot.

School board candidates face petition requirements

School board candidates must live in the district and be registered voters there. Petitions go to the district business manager by 5 p.m. local time. Deadlines are the third Tuesday of March for June elections and the third Tuesday of August for November elections. Circulation cannot start before January 1 for June elections or June 1 for November elections. Candidates must sign a declaration before circulation and collect at least 20 eligible voter signatures. Signers must live in the district or, where applicable, the candidate's representation area. Petitions must use the state form, record residences and signing dates, and include the circulator's oath. The business manager must sign verification of residency and minimum signatures before filing counts as nomination. Even-year elections must join the regular June primary or November general election, with participating governments agreeing on costs and duties. School officials must certify candidates and ballot questions to county auditors by the first Friday after the filing deadline.

Candidates can withdraw before ballot cutoff

Municipal, school board, and primary candidates can withdraw through a written request under oath to the officer who received their petition. The request must arrive before 5 p.m. local time on the first Thursday after the petition filing deadline. Timely withdrawals keep names off ballots; the same cutoff applies to deaths of municipal and school board candidates. For municipal and school board races, a withdrawal or death leaves no contest when remaining candidates do not exceed open seats. Unopposed candidates receive election certificates, and the election is canceled if no other contest remains.

Convention delegate groups face filing rules

When party bylaws give no selection method, the primary selects national convention delegates and alternates. Each group must share one petition listing the required number of South Dakota delegates and alternates. It must state a presidential candidate preference, no preference, or uncommitted status. Petitions go to the Secretary of State after December 31 and before 5 p.m. Central Time on the third Tuesday of March before the primary. No candidate can appear on more than one group's petition.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Hulse, Amber

    Republican • Senate

  • Reimer, Rebecca

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 204 • No: 67

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 26 • No: 8

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Do Pass

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2026

Reconsidered

Yes: 56 • No: 12

House vote • 2/5/2026

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 64 • No: 4

House vote • 2/4/2026

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 31 • No: 38

House vote • 2/2/2026

Do Pass Amended

Yes: 7 • No: 5

House vote • 1/28/2026

Deferred to another day

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/30/2026House

  2. Delivered to the Governor

    3/9/2026House

  3. Signed by the President

    3/5/2026Senate

  4. Signed by the Speaker

    3/4/2026House

  5. Senate Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 26, NAYS 8

    3/3/2026Senate

  6. Senate Deferred to another day, Passed

    3/2/2026Senate

  7. Remove from Consent Calendar

    2/26/2026Senate

  8. Certified uncontested, placed on consent

    2/25/2026Senate

  9. Senate State Affairs Do Pass, Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0

    2/25/2026Senate

  10. Scheduled for hearing

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. Referred to Senate State Affairs

    2/9/2026Senate

  12. First Reading Senate

    2/6/2026Senate

  13. House of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 64, NAYS 4

    2/5/2026House

  14. House of Representatives Motion to amend, Passed

    2/5/2026House

  15. House of Representatives Reconsidered, Passed, YEAS 56, NAYS 12

    2/5/2026House

  16. Intent to reconsider

    2/4/2026House

  17. House of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Failed, YEAS 31, NAYS 38

    2/4/2026House

  18. House State Affairs Do Pass Amended, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5

    2/2/2026House

  19. House State Affairs Motion to amend, Passed

    2/2/2026House

  20. Scheduled for hearing

    2/2/2026House

  21. House State Affairs Deferred to another day, Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0

    1/28/2026House

  22. House State Affairs Motion to amend, Passed

    1/28/2026House

  23. Scheduled for hearing

    1/28/2026House

  24. Scheduled for hearing

    1/26/2026House

  25. First read in House and referred to House State Affairs

    1/20/2026House

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/20/2026

    PDF

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