PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) Activists hoping to essentially resurrect Initiated Measure 22 say they have collected more than 50,000 signatures to get their reform measure on the South Dakota ballot next year.
It's named the Voter Protection and Anti-Corruption Amendment. Represent South Dakota says it will deliver the signature petitions to the Secretary of State's Office October 18.
The Republican-controlled State Legislature repealed IM-22, despite it being approved by the voters, mostly because of constitutional concerns.
The group says the ballot measure would reform a political system where "big money donors and lobbyists hold the power and put the people of South Dakota back in charge."
Among the many components in the proposed amendment, it would ban lobbyist gifts, ban foreign money in state elections, lower campaign contribution limits, and give the voters the final say if the state legislature wants to change any voter-approved laws.
IM-22 was narrowly approved by the voters in 2016. The 2017 State Legislature repealed it, and passed various pieces of legislation to try to accomplish the same goals.