South Dakota Officials Debated Upcoming Ballot Measures

Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen and Rep. Erik Muckey discussed four constitutional amendments facing state voters in November.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an empty wooden legislative lectern, evoking the institutional gravitas of state-level policy and electoral decision-making. — South Dakota officials debated four proposed constitutional amendments on Tuesday, including changes to voter citizenship requirements and unclaimed property funds, ahead of the November 2026 election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should constitutional amendments require a 60% supermajority vote to pass?

South Dakota Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen and Rep. Erik Muckey participated in a public debate at Dakota Wesleyan University to address four constitutional amendments. The measures, which include proposals regarding Medicaid expansion and voter requirements, will appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2026.

Why it matters

The debate aimed to provide clarity to the public regarding complex constitutional changes that could significantly alter the state's legislative and fiscal landscape. Voters are tasked with deciding on fundamental policy shifts ranging from healthcare funding to the rules governing future constitutional amendments.

Constitutional Amendment I would authorize the repeal of Medicaid expansion if federal funding drops below 90%, while Amendment L seeks to raise the threshold for passing future amendments to a 60% supermajority.

The players

Tony Venhuizen

He is the Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota who participated in the debate over upcoming ballot measures.

Erik Muckey

He is a state representative who debated the policy implications of the four constitutional amendments.

The details

The Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee hosted the event, focusing on the four upcoming proposals. These include Amendment J, which codifies U.S. citizenship requirements for voters, and Amendment K, which proposes creating a dedicated trust fund for the state's annual unclaimed property receipts that range from $68 million to $109 million.

Voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022.
The general election and ballot issue voting take place on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the current simple majority rule argue that it makes the state constitution too susceptible to frequent changes, while advocates for the status quo maintain that it ensures direct democratic access. These amendments reflect a broader movement among some legislators to tighten the requirements for constitutional changes across the state.

The passage of these amendments would directly impact residents by potentially altering eligibility for state-funded healthcare and changing the legal requirements for voting in future elections. Voters will see these measures on their ballots on November 3, 2026, where the outcome will establish new constitutional standards for the state.

The takeaway

Voters should review the specific language of all four amendments, as they address distinct issues from unclaimed property management to healthcare funding. Preparing for the election involves understanding how these constitutional changes could reshape state governance for years to come.