Signs point the way to a polling place at the Sioux Falls downtown library during the primary election on June 4, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
Amendment H is being touted as an electoral reform that would open up the primary system and give all voters a voice in choosing candidates. For South Dakotans who value real choice, transparent elections and political stability, Amendment H is a dangerous proposal that threatens to undermine the very principles that have made our state a model of effective governance.
Under the current system, the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties can hold primaries, allowing party members to vote in their elections (independents can vote in the Democratic or Libertarian primary). This ensures that those who align with the party’s values get to decide its leadership. Amendment H would eliminate this system, creating a single, open primary where all candidates — regardless of party — appear on the same ballot, and the top two vote-getters move on to the general election. This might sound like an inclusive reform, but it carries severe consequences for voters across the political spectrum.
[ 2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote. ]
Opponents of Amendment H come from a wide range of political backgrounds. South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Dan Ahlers and College Democrats of South Dakota President Mohamed Mohamed strongly oppose Amendment H. Leaders in the state’s Democratic Party recognize that this change could limit the choices available to voters in the general election.
The amendment has also drawn sharp criticism from conservative Republican leaders like South Dakota Republican Party Chairman John Wiik. Congressman Dusty Johnson is also voting against the measure.
Independents are also voicing their concerns and are some of the NO on Amendment H campaign’s biggest donors. This is why Democratic leaders and numerous independent voters across the state are joining forces with Republicans to oppose Amendment H. It’s not just about protecting conservative or progressive values — it’s about maintaining a system where all voters, regardless of party, have genuine choices when they go to the polls in November.
The open primary system introduced by Amendment H doesn’t guarantee a wider range of voices. In fact, it could lead to just the opposite: a narrower set of candidates controlled by the most extreme or well-funded groups. As some have pointed out, such a system could allow outside interests to manipulate elections, pouring money into campaigns that don’t represent the people of South Dakota. It opens the door to candidates backed by wealthy donors from out of state, drowning out the voices of everyday South Dakotans.
Additionally, while Amendment H proponents claim it will increase voter participation, evidence from other states suggests the opposite. Open primaries can lead to voter confusion, lower turnout and fewer viable candidates in the general election. Independent groups that have studied open primary systems caution that these systems often suppress the diversity of candidates and disproportionately benefit those who are already in power or have substantial resources.
Amendment H: Open primaries
Moreover, for Democrats and independents, Amendment H does not solve the underlying issue of political representation. The current system ensures that Democratic voters have a clear choice in November. Under an open primary, Democrats could be forced to choose between two Republicans or candidates that don’t reflect their values. This is not a system that expands democracy. It’s one that narrows it.
South Dakota’s current primary system has served the state well for many years. It allows voters within each party to select candidates that reflect their principles while ensuring a competitive and fair general election. Voters from all parties are guaranteed a real choice when it comes time to vote in November. Progressive leaders, conservative Republicans, and independent voices are all coming together to oppose Amendment H. They know it will weaken our democracy and reduce the diversity of political representation in South Dakota.
As we approach the November election, South Dakotans must look past the surface appeal of “reform” and recognize what Amendment H really is: a proposal that threatens voter choice, weakens grassroots candidates across the political spectrum, and hands more power to the loudest, most extreme voices. By dismantling the established primary system, this amendment risks silencing moderate and diverse perspectives in favor of those who dominate through sheer noise, rather than genuine representation.
This isn’t about empowering voters. It’s about undermining the balance and stability that South Dakota’s electoral system has fostered for decades. If people like Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, Democratic Party Executive Director Dan Ahlers, Attorney General Marty Jackley and Congressman Dusty Johnson are “ wackadoodles” only because they are voting NO on amendment H, then sign me up.
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