RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – With the general election only 20 days away, South Dakota voters have several amendments to vote on, including one that could change the primary election system in the Mount Rushmore state.

If “Amendment H” passes in November, it would remove partisan-primaries and replace them with top-two primary elections for state legislative and executive, county and congressional offices. As it stands, major party candidates have to participate in a partisan-primary election to appear on a general election ballot. A candidate’s party members can only vote for that candidate, except in the case when that party opens the primary to voters, who are not in the party.

”It might give this idea that the parties aren’t necessary, and maybe they aren’t. Maybe there’s an argument to go in that direction. I don’t believe that, but I can see people maybe considering that,” the Democratic Candidate for South Dakota State Senate District 30, Bret Swanson, said.

Another candidate for State Senate District 30 does feel “Amendment H” could be a problem for the state as well if it passes.

”I think South Dakotans deserve to choose their own party nominees without interference from those who don’t share their political values. Our open primary, if open primaries were instituted, outsiders would influence our local decisions, and they already are with how much ballot initiatives we have this year,” the Republican Candidate for South Dakota State Senate District 30, Amber Hulse, said.

If it passes in November, ”Amendment H” would establish one “South Dakota Primary”. Every candidate from each party would be placed on one-primary ballot. The top two candidates with the most votes will move on to the general election.

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