SB 89 South Dakota Senate · 2025 Regular Session

repeal the requirement that judicial officers be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot.

This bill would remove the current rule requiring judges to appear on a separate, nonpartisan ballot section in South Dakota elections. The change would allow judicial candidates to be listed on the same ballot as other political candidates, potentially integrating them into the standard partisan election format. Directly affected are judicial candidates, election officials, and voters who currently see judges on a distinct ballot section. The provision eliminates the existing separation requirement without altering how judges are elected or their qualifications.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed Mar 31, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 6, 2025
MINOR
This bill removes the requirement that judicial officers appear on a separate, nonpartisan ballot in South Dakota elections. Previously, judges had to be listed separately from other candidates to maintain their nonpartisan status. Now, judicial officers will be listed on the same ballot as other candidates, aligning their presentation with other elected officials.
Scope change
The bill changes how judicial officers are presented on election ballots, moving them from a separate nonpartisan ballot to the general candidate list.
REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the legal requirement for judicial officers to be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot.

Amended § 12-16-1 to allow judicial officers to appear on standard printed ballots alongside other candidates.

Repealed § 12-16-11, which contained provisions related to the separate ballot requirement for judicial officers.

Floor votes · House Mar 5, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
9
Committee
4
Mar 31, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2025-03-31 S.J. 539
executive
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 488
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 473
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 70, NAYS 0 H.J. 462
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to H.J. 239
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0 S.J. 165
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to S.J. 101
upper
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors