Amendment J: Citizenship voting amendmentSay in the constitution that only U.S. citizens may vote
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State ballot question pamphlet (PDF)
In plain words
The state constitution already lists who may vote (including a citizenship and age rule) and lets the state bar people who are mentally incompetent or convicted of a felony. This amendment adds non-citizens to the list of people who are disqualified, to make clear that only U.S. citizens may vote in South Dakota elections. A 1996 federal law already bars non-citizens from voting in federal elections. (sdsos.gov (Secretary of State) )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Who may vote | U.S. citizens 18 or older who live in South Dakota | Same |
| Non-citizens listed as disqualified in the constitution | No (the list names mental incompetence and felony conviction) | Yes |
| Proof of citizenship to register | Set by state law (SB 175, effective March 26, 2026) | Not changed by this amendment |
Numbers from the sources linked (not yet checked against the official ballot title) (ballot title ); also see (sdsos.gov (Secretary of State) )
Biggest change
- Adds non-U.S. citizens to the constitution's list of people disqualified from voting in any election or on any question put to the voters. source: news.ballotpedia.org
Who it affects most: All South Dakota voters, because it changes the constitution's voter rules. Opponents say it could open citizens' registrations to challenge under a new law; supporters say it changes no eligible citizen's rights.
Cost to the state: No fiscal note in the Secretary of State's pamphlet or handout. Cost to the state: no estimate published.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The constitution says outright that people who are not U.S. citizens may not vote in South Dakota elections.
The constitution stays as it is; voting is still limited to citizens by its current voter-qualification rule and by state law.
Our one-line summary. The Attorney General's official Yes and No effects are quoted above.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- The Legislature put this on the ballot: the Senate passed it 33-2 on Feb. 3, 2025 and the House 58-11 on March 6, 2025. This is the 15th statewide citizenship-voting measure in the country since 2018; the 14 earlier ones passed with an average of 73%. source: news.ballotpedia.org
Why supporters want it
- Sen. Taffy Howard (R, District 34), in the official pamphlet: "Vote YES to make it unmistakably clear that only United States citizens may vote in South Dakota elections." Howard says it removes a gap in the constitution and changes no eligible citizen's rights. source: sdsos.gov (Secretary of State)
Why opponents object
- Rep. Erik Muckey (D, District 15), in the official pamphlet: "Amendment J does not solve anything." Muckey says it is unnecessary and could let citizens' registrations be challenged under a new law. source: sdsos.gov (Secretary of State)
Who backs each side
- For: Sen. Taffy Howard and the legislators who voted for it (all 32 Republican senators plus one Democrat; most House members). Against: Rep. Erik Muckey and the legislators who voted no. No campaign committee or money found. source: news.ballotpedia.org
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official ballot question pamphlet .
Constitutional Amendment J. Title: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution Clarifying that an Individual Must Be a Citizen of the United States to be Eligible to Vote.
Attorney General explanation: Article VII, § 2 of the South Dakota Constitution defines who is qualified to vote in state elections. Among these qualifications are age, residency, and United States citizenship requirements. Article VII, § 2 also establishes that individuals may be disqualified from voting because of mental incompetence or a felony conviction.
This constitutional amendment adds people who are not United States citizens to the list of individuals disqualified from voting, clarifying the existing requirement that only citizens may vote in state elections.
Vote “Yes” to adopt the amendment.
Vote “No” to leave the Constitution as it is.
The text of this constitutional amendment is one page long with two sections.
Copied from the Attorney General's title, explanation and vote effects in the pamphlet (printed pages 2 to 5). The Legislature's file holds the resolution's own title and the amendment text, which are different from the Attorney General's ballot title.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
The exact words of the amendment are in the Attorney General's final-form PDF on the Secretary of State's site, which is scanned and not yet checked by us. Read it in the Secretary of State ballot question pamphlet (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot question pamphlet (PDF)
- Ballotpedia News: the citizenship amendment
- Secretary of State: 2026 ballot question pamphlet (PDF)
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.