(Pierre, SD) — A federal judge is striking down South Dakota’s nine-month deadline for filing petition signatures, calling it a violation of First Amendment rights. The law, passed earlier this year, was challenged by Dakotans for Health after the February deadline blocked their efforts to put a measure on the ballot. Governor Rhoden and lawmakers argued the early deadline was needed to allow time for legal challenges, but the court says it doesn’t hold up. Now, petitioners have until six months before Election Day to turn in signatures. Group co-founder Rick Weiland calls the ruling “a clear rebuke” of lawmakers trying to, in his words, “rig the rules.” The state has until September 29th to appeal.
