South Dakota
Rhoden vetoes ‘misguided’ petition bill, signs off on tougher South Dakota residency law
Gov. Larry Rhoden issued his second veto while making law a slew of legislation focused on South Dakota’s elections and its citizen-led petition process.
Rhoden on Tuesday signed 20 “election bills” largely aimed at tightening the state’s residency and voting requirements.
The most notorious includes House Bill 1208. According to the bill’s language, people who claim residency at a mail forwarding address or post office “without providing a description of the location of the individual’s habitation” are not considered residents of the state and can only vote in the federal election, if eligible. The bill works in tandem with the standing requirement that prospective voters must live in South Dakota for 30 consecutive days to be considered a resident and able to vote in state elections.
Opponents of the legislation have said the bill unfairly restricts the voting rights of full-time travelers from South Dakota and the state’s homeless population.
“South Dakota continues to be an example of free and fair elections. Our election system has integrity, and these bills improve our already strong system,” Rhoden stated in a Tuesday press release. “America is founded on the principle of freedom, and I am proud that we live in a nation and a state where we can choose our leaders.”
Other bills signed by Rhoden include laws prohibiting and penalizing the use of deepfakes in an election, requiring South Dakota driver’s licenses to indicate citizenship status, and banning people who aren’t registered as in-state voters from circulating petitions on ballot measures.
House Bill 1169, brought by State Rep. Rebecca Reimer, R-Rapid City, was the only one of the batch to receive the governor’s veto brand. The bill would have required groups circulating petitions for South Dakota Constitutional Amendments to obtain no less than 5% of signatures for all 35 legislative districts in the state, based on that district’s total votes in the last gubernatorial election, in order to placed on an election ballot.
The statute as it stands only requires circulators to receive a number of signatures equal to 5% of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election for the whole state.
Rhoden stated in a Tuesday press release that HB 1169 has a “worthy goal” in raising the bar for petitioning for constitutional amendments in the state but could prove a legal problem. He explained in a letter to the State House that if a court determines the proposed law infringes on the ability to engage in free speech, it would undergo “strict scrutiny,” or the highest standard of judicial review.
“I am concerned that this bill will not withstand scrutiny in the courts. This bill attempts to change the South Dakota Constitution in statute, and I believe that approach to be misguided,” Rhoden stated.
The governor’s veto was announced after Voter Defense Association of South Dakota, a group focused on the state’s ballot process, held a Friday press conference in which they and supporters threatened to put the bill through the referendum process.
Matthew Schweich, president of VDA, told the Argus Leader the bill would have hamstrung future citizen ballot initiatives in South Dakota by implementing “the most extreme geographic distribution requirement in the U.S.”
Former State Sen. Reynold Nesiba, a Sioux Falls Democrat, planned to sponsor the referendum petition to reject the legislation.
“It will effectively end the constitutional amendment process initiated by citizens in South Dakota,” Nesiba said. “We have to remember our state motto is, ‘Under God the People Rule.’”
Schweich also challenged the bill from a practicality standpoint by sharing concerns that petition gatherers would need to carry multiple versions of their petitions and clipboards for voters that may not live where they’re encountered. He also said the bill would make South Dakota’s petition process more vulnerable to outside influence, as smaller groups would be unable to financially support a statewide campaign that some out-of-state groups could still afford.
Rhoden echoed this in his letter to the State House.
“The additional burden of collecting signatures from each of the 35 senatorial districts, each on a separate petition sheet, risks creating a system where only those with substantial financial resources can effectively undertake a statewide petition drive. This undermines the bill’s intent by putting South Dakotans at a disadvantage to dark money out-of-state groups,” Rhoden wrote.
Other bills signed by Rhoden on Tuesday include:
- SB 68: Requires an individual be a citizen of the United States before being eligible to vote and to provides a penalty therefor.
- SB 73: Requires that an individual registering as a voter when applying for a driver’s license be a resident of the state for the purposes of voting.
- SB 89: Repeals the requirement that judicial officers be listed on a separate nonpolitical ballot.
- SB 91: Revises the requirements for a petition to initiate a measure or constitutional amendment or to refer a law.
- SB 92: Requires that the director of the Legislative Research Council and the secretary of state review an initiated measure and determine if the measure embraces more than one subject.
- SB 173: Revises the process by which a recount may be requested.
- SB 185: Amends provisions pertaining to the process by which the qualifications of a registered voter are verified.
- HB 1062: Amends provisions pertaining to the maintenance and publication of the statewide voter registration file.
- HB 1066: Revises residency requirements for the purposes of voter registration.
- HB 1126: Modifies provisions pertaining to the compensation of a recount board.
- HB 1127: Requires that notice of a county’s canvass, post-election audit, and testing of automatic tabulating equipment be posted to the secretary of state’s website.
- HB 1130: Provides permissible dates for municipal and school district elections.
- HB 1164: Revises the process for nominating candidates for lieutenant governor.
- HB 1184: Amends the deadline for filing a petition to initiate a measure or constitutional amendment.
- HB 1256: Requires the inclusion of certain information on a candidate’s nominating petition or on a ballot question petition.
- HB 1264: Requires the disclosure of an outstanding loan balance on a campaign finance disclosure report.
State House and Senate lawmakers will convene in Pierre on Monday. Both chambers will need a two-thirds majority of legislators to override Rhoden’s veto.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 8 drawing
03-24-34-43-49, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from June 8 drawing
04-23-25-30-47, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 05
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 8 drawing
20-25-40-50-55, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Summer roadwork season is underway across South Dakota, with construction projects, highway maintenance, utility work and safety campaigns affecting travelers in several parts of the state. Here’s a look at the latest updates motorists should know for the week ahead, before heading out on the roads.
Ditch work begins June 8 on SD Highway 20 west of Reva
A road construction project is scheduled to begin Monday, June 8, on South Dakota Highway 20 west of Reva.
According to the South Dakota Department of Transportation, crews will perform miscellaneous ditch work on SD Highway 20 from approximately 1.75 miles west to 1 mile west of the junction with Highway 79.
Construction activities will take place weekdays between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. MDT and are expected to continue through June 26. The project is scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m. MDT on Friday, June 26.
Motorists traveling through the area are encouraged to use caution and be alert for construction workers and equipment operating near the roadway.
Drivers with questions about the project can contact their local South Dakota Department of Transportation area office for additional information.
Blotter operations begin June 8 on U.S. Highway 385 near Pactola Dam
Road work continues on U.S. Highway 385 between Pactola Dam and Calumet Road.
Beginning June 8, contractors will start blotter operations, a process that involves packing and hardening the road surface. The work is expected to continue through July.
Motorists should use caution in the work zone and be aware of loose gravel and reduced speeds during the construction period.
Black Hills Energy to remove powerline overnight along Fifth Street in Rapid City
Black Hills Energy will remove an overhead power line in downtown Rapid City later this week, with work scheduled overnight to minimize traffic disruptions.
The decommissioning is set to begin around 9 p.m. Wednesday along Fifth Street, stretching from the alley south of Kansas City Street to the alley north of Main Street.
Officials say the nighttime schedule is intended to reduce impacts in the busy downtown area and provide a safer work environment. One lane of Fifth Street will be closed during the project, and drivers are asked to use caution while traveling through the area.
The work is expected to be completed in a single night. For questions or more information, the public can contact Black Hills Energy at 605-721-2642.
SDDOT outlines summer timeline for mowing highway ditches across the state
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is reminding landowners that highway ditches can’t be mowed until specific dates each summer. In parts of western South Dakota, mowing can begin June 15, while areas east of the Missouri River must wait until July 10. All mowing must be finished by Sept. 1 unless an extension is approved.
Landowners next to state highways get first priority to mow the adjoining ditches. Anyone else must have permission from the property owner, and a permit is required to mow along Interstate highways.
The state may mow some areas earlier to control weeds and improve safety. For more information, contact a local SDDOT office or visit the SDDOT website.
Officials encourage safe towing practices statewide during Trailer Safety Week
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to prioritize safe towing practices during Trailer Safety Week, June 7-13.
The annual awareness campaign highlights the importance of trailer safety and aims to educate the public on proper trailer maintenance and use. The initiative also seeks to strengthen partnerships among trailer dealers, manufacturers and consumers to promote safer roadways.
State officials said increased awareness and proper trailer maintenance can help prevent crashes and improve safety for all motorists traveling South Dakota highways.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – One of the most thankless jobs in sports is the one that gives the players the opportunity to compete in every sport.
Referees dedicate their time to help the kids of South Dakota enjoy the sports they love.
Yesterday was the High School Football All Star game in Brookings.
12 officials were there, sharpening up their skills for the regular season.
Tate Schoenfeld, 10 year referee and Alexandria native said, “Football is different than other sports where Basketball you have team camps in the summer, things like that. Football you really don’t have those opportunities so anytime you can get on the field and see live plays before the season starts is definitely a benefit.”
The South Dakota Football Coaches Association and the South Dakota High School Athletics Association partnered with improving the game of football in mind.
Justin Ingalls, state wide coordinator of officials for the SDHSAA says coaches and refs may not see eye to eye on everything.
“But one thing we will always agree on is the opportunity that we want to make this game and give back to this great game of football in every way we can to make it as good as possible for our student athletes,” said Justin Ingalls, SDHSAA State wide coordinator for officials.
Just because it was an all star game didn’t mean the refs were holding back. Ingalls quoted NFL referee Ed Hochuli.
Ingalls said, “Yes, there are penalties in a pro bowl, in here I think we had five or six different penalties, we had some good situations that we’ve talked about, teaching and learning situations.”
This has been a weekend long event.
On Friday Ingalls hosted classroom sessions with film study.
Ingalls said, “What we want called, how we want it called, and the mechanics of the game. What’s important to officials and officiating in the game.”
Ingalls was not the only one giving pointers.
There were many hands on deck making sure every ref could get their questions answered.
Ingalls said, “We had people that literally had experience in the Big 10, at the college level, and tons and tons of experience and expertise at the high school level.”
Even a 10 year veteran like Tate Schoenfelder was able to pick up a thing or two.
Schoenfelder said, “This is my first year attending but I really liked how it was run, the organization of it, and I feel like it was really beneficial to me as an individual and I think that everyone who was here as an official.”
Ingalls wants to continue to grow the game of football.
With many of the 80 athletes competing Saturday finishing their playing career.
Ingalls let them know they don’t have to step away from the field.
Ingalls said, “A number of us talked about our journeys and how we got into officiating, we want to give them some information as they go off to college about how to continue to be involved and get involved and be supported in becoming an official.”
This fun, pressureless environment set up the refs for their best chance at success with the high school football season just two months away.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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