require the disclosure of whether a ballot question was proposed by initiative or by the Legislature.

Voters see who proposed ballot questions

South Dakota ballot questions must disclose whether they came from lawmakers or a citizen petition. This covers constitutional amendments, citizen-proposed laws, and laws passed by lawmakers and referred to voters. Printed ballots must show, in order: the title, origin disclosure, attorney general’s explanation, latest fiscal note, and voting instructions. The objective explanation must describe the question’s purpose, effects, and legal consequences in no more than 200 words. For Legislature-proposed amendments and referred laws, it must also describe any potential liability. Voting instructions explain what a Yes or No vote means for adopting an amendment or approving or rejecting a law. Citizen-petition sponsors must submit their final text to the attorney general, secretary of state, and Legislative Research Council director after receiving the director’s comments. Within 60 days of receiving it, the attorney general must file a draft statement, post it online, and announce public comments. Comments remain open for 10 days after filing. The attorney general must review all comments and revise the statement as needed. The final statement must reach the secretary of state and sponsors within 20 days of the draft’s filing. For Legislature-proposed amendments and referred laws from odd-numbered years, statements are due before the election year’s third Tuesday in May. For referred laws from even-numbered years, statements are due before the election year’s second Tuesday in July. When citizen-petition signatures are filed under the covered process, voting instructions are due before the third Tuesday in May.