PIERRE, S.D. -- Supporters of South Dakota's traditional initiative-and-referendum process worry state lawmakers may pass a revised law now that a federal judge has declared the law passed last session unconstitutional.

Last week, Judge Charles Kornmann ruled that House Bill 1094 violates the First Amendment. The group South Dakota Voice, led by Cory Heidelberger, filed a federal lawsuit to prevent the bill from taking effect.

Heidelberger said he finds it ironic that lawmakers also passed a bill last year to require civic classes in South Dakota high schools.

"This is what civics is about, is getting up off your can and actually participating in public discourse and elections, and the making of your own laws," Heidelberger said. "Initiative and referendum is the apotheosis of civic engagement."

In 2018, the same judge declared another law unconstitutional, that would have restricted out-of-state contributions to ballot issues. Heidelberger noted the state could appeal the latest ruling, or use the new session to pass a new law to change the state's initiative and referendum process.

The law, set to take affect in July, would have required people who circulate petitions to wear badges with ID numbers, and put personal information into a public directory, including their home addresses and phone numbers. Heidelberger said the law could have created a chilling effect for anyone collecting signatures who's confronted by someone who opposes the petition.

"And Judge Kornmann agreed flat-out that opens the door to harassment," Heidelberger said. "And we brought evidence of that - we brought a circulator from previous ballot questions who had harassment on the street when he was circulating, and he said, 'That was without people knowing my address.'"

South Dakota is among 26 states with an initiative and referendum process, and was the first state to allow citizens to enact laws through the process starting in 1898. In 2017, GOP lawmakers used emergency powers to repeal a voter-approved anti-corruption referendum. Some said their constituents didn't understand what they were voting for.


get more stories like this via email

Texas lawmakers will return to Austin on July 21 for a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The 18 items on the agenda include redrawing congressional maps. Redistricting usually occurs every 10 years, following the census, but Abbott added the item to the agenda after the Department of Justice drew attention to four Democratic seats.

Christina Sanders, founder of the nonprofit PoliChic Engagement Fund, said Texas maps are already caught up in litigation.

"Some of the court cases that are still even pending from the maps that have not been drawn fairly and the potential impact of new maps in the middle of a census cycle," Sanders explained.

The Biden administration sued Texas, alleging the state's legislative and congressional district maps discriminate against Latino and Black voters. The Justice Department, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the lawsuit earlier this year.

The seats targeted by the Justice Department are held by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, and Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas. They are also focused on the vacant seat previously held by late Congressman Sylvester Turner. Following the 2023 legislative session, Abbott called four special sessions to pass a school voucher bill, which failed.

Sanders feels Abbott is using special sessions to push personal agendas.

"A special session would be for something like the flood that just occurred," Sanders argued. "It would be something that there is an emergency -- something immediate needs to happen at this moment -- because this policy for the state cannot wait."

Flood warning systems and communication are also on the agenda, along with hemp and THC legislation and changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.

With the Independence Day holiday weekend here, North Dakotans might be out at parades, fireworks shows and barbecues. However, new polling indicates that many Americans are struggling to feel optimistic about the state of the country.

A new Gallup survey shows 58% of U.S. adults say they're proud to be an American. While there are some partisan splits, the overall percentage is a record low for the annual poll question.

Barbara Headrick, president of the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, said it's not surprising, given the sharp divides between the two major parties. But she feels there's something else at play.

"There is still an after effect, I believe, from the pandemic from that separation from each other that we had," she said.

That the pandemic was so politicized is another complicating factor that prevented the country from healing, Headrick said, adding that it's understandable some Americans are very concerned about various rights being taken away. However, she noted the U.S. has deep flaws throughout its history, and there are still many more rights afforded today than in past decades.

If heated rhetoric clouding U.S. politics has got you down, Headrick said, you can still show American pride through actions.

"Find a way to love your country by making it better," she said.

Headrick said it can involve showing support for civil workers or volunteering at a local homeless or animal shelter. She added that expressing pride through elections doesn't just involve voting, noting that there are opportunities to stay informed about how your local government is addressing pressing issues, such as affordable housing.


get more stories like this via email

A new Indiana law, starting today, allows school board candidates to list their political affiliation on the ballot.

Candidates may choose to register with a political party, as independents or not disclose any affiliation. Those who do not select will have a blank space next to their name and straight-ticket voting will not apply to school board races. Those opposed to the new law said it injects unnecessary politics into a role traditionally focused on education.

Leslie Jacobs, a school board member for the Fayette County School Corporation in Connersville, is against the new law.

"In my 10 years, I couldn't tell you the political leanings of anybody on my board. Never comes up," Jacobs explained. "Our discussions are purely about educational opportunities, picking a superintendent, looking at budget."

She warned requiring party labels might discourage qualified candidates from running. Supporters of the new law said it increases transparency.

Jennifer Blackburn, a school board member for the East Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, also opposes the new law.

"The scenario that there are four candidates potentially running and three are Democrat, one is a Republican -- this last school board election -- none of us were opposed," Blackburn pointed out. "As big as our county is, there are not a lot of people running."

The law will first affect school board elections in November.


get more stories like this via email