Voters reject open primaries for South Dakota
Juliann Talkington, a coordinator for the "No on H" ballot question committee, speaks to the Life Defense Fund election night watch party on Nov. 5, 2024, in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
South Dakota voters on Tuesday rejected an attempt to establish open primary elections in the state.
The Associated Press called the results at 11:16 p.m. Central. The tally at that time was 68% against Amendment H and 32% in favor, with 37% of statewide votes counted.
Amendment H would have changed future primary elections for governor, state Legislature, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and elected county offices. The candidates in each race, regardless of party, would have appeared on a single ballot. In most races, the top two vote-getters would have advanced to the general election. In races with two open seats, such as state House contests, the top four vote-getters would have advanced.
South Dakota's current primary elections are split by political party. Republicans only allow their own party members to vote in their primaries, while Democrats allow their own party members and independents. The winners of each party's primary advance to the general election.
Supporters of Amendment H said the current system disenfranchises thousands of voters, because many races in Republican-leaning South Dakota are decided in Republican primaries that exclude Democratic and independent voters.
"We are disappointed our proposal didn't do better, but we are proud of our effort and our team," said Open Primaries Chair Joe Kirby in an emailed statement. "We gave South Dakota voters an opportunity to address some fundamental deficiencies in the state's government."
Opponents of the amendment included the state Republican and Democratic parties. Some Republicans said it's their right to choose their own political nominees, while some Democrats feared their candidates might rarely advance out of an open primary.
Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party Dan Ahlers said the measure's failure is "best for South Dakota voters."
"I'm personally not opposed to an open primary," Ahlers said. "I just don't think this one was the best fit for South Dakota."
Juliann Talkington, a coordinator for "No on H," celebrated the group's victory.
"We don't like people coming in and trying to deceive us," Talkington told South Dakota Searchlight, referring to significant out-of-state spending in support of the amendment. "We're not going to be bought."
At the polls Tuesday, Parker Stewart, a 38-year-old Sioux Falls Republican, opted against Amendment H. South Dakota is a conservative state, he said, and he doubts an open primary would have much of an effect on the political makeup of South Dakota leadership.
"What's to gain?" Stewart said. "We know what part of the country we're in, and we know how things are going to go."
