Voting FAQs

Explore plain-English answers to common questions about ballot measures, direct democracy, and the rules that shape how voters make decisions.

Can I vote early on Amendment L?

Yes. South Dakota offers early voting options. Because hours and locations can vary by county and election cycle, check South Dakota's Secretary of State website directly for current early voting information.

How do I make sure I'm registered to vote on Amendment L?

Check your voter registration status well before the election — especially if you've moved or haven't voted in recent cycles. Visit South Dakota's Secretary of State website for current registration deadlines, requirements, and to confirm your registration is active.

When will South Dakotans vote on Amendment L?

Amendment L will be on the November 2026 General Election Ballot, alongside other statewide and local races.

Is Amendment L partisan?

No. The issue of majority rule cuts across party lines. Research shows that voters — regardless of whether they identify as Democrats, Republicans, independents, or unaffiliated — value simple majority rule as a matter of basic fairness. What makes supermajority requirements controversial is that they shift power away from the majority and allow a minority of voters to block policies that most people support.

What would Amendment L do to the ballot measure process?

It would make it significantly harder for constitutional amendments to pass. Under the current system, a majority of South Dakotans can approve a constitutional change. Under Amendment L, a minority of just over 40% could block an amendment even if most South Dakotans supported it. When you look at actual voter turnout, the number of South Dakotans who could overrule an amendment is actually even smaller—more like 20%. Imagine a scenario where 1 in 5 people control what laws pass even if 4 out of 5 want something different to happen—that scenario would come to be if Amendment L passes.

Where did Amendment L come from?

Politicians in the South Dakota Legislature voted to place Amendment L on the ballot. It was not initiated by a citizen petition.

What is Constitutional Amendment L?

Constitutional Amendment L is a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment on South Dakota's November 2026 ballot. If passed, it would raise the threshold for any future constitutional amendment — citizen-initiated or legislature-referred — from a simple majority (50%+1) to minority rule. It would require 60% of voters to pass any amendment, meaning that just over 40% could block amendments. This is minority rule. Read more about minority rule here.

What South Dakota ballot measures should I watch in 2026?

Amendment L is an important proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass future constitutional amendments. It would replace the current system used to decide constitutional questions –– majority rule –– with minority rule. Learn more about what Amendment L would mean for voters in our article: What Is Constitutional Amendment L in South Dakota?

How do I vote?

In South Dakota, you can vote on Election Day, early in person, or by mail. You can find more information on South Dakota's Secretary of State website.

How do I register to vote?

Registering to vote is the most critical step in exercising your power in direct democracy. Requirements and deadlines vary, so check with South Dakota's Secretary of State website to confirm your eligibility, update your address if you've moved, and make sure your registration is active before the next election.

What are some examples of ballot measures South Dakotans have passed?

In recent years, South Dakota voters approved measures to legalize medical marijuana, expand Medicaid, and to raise the minimum wage, all policies that had been stalled in the state legislature.

Are ballot initiatives partisan?

No. Research shows that voters of all political affiliations value the ability to decide on laws directly. While individual politicians or party leaders may take positions on ballot measures, the process itself cuts across party lines. Voters who identify as Democrats, Republicans, Independents, or unaffiliated can all use the ballot initiative process and vote however they choose.

How do ballot measures get on the ballot in South Dakota?

Either through citizen initiative — where registered voters collect a required number of signatures to qualify a measure — or through legislative referral, where the South Dakota Legislature votes to send a question directly to voters.

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What is a ballot measure?

A ballot measure is a policy question placed on a ballot for voters to answer to approve or reject. Instead of choosing between candidates who will then vote on laws for them, voters are asked to weigh in directly on a proposed law, constitutional amendment, or local charter change.

Can I vote early on Measure 1?

North Dakota offers in-person early voting in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Hours and locations can vary by county, so check North Dakota Secretary of State's election website for current early voting details.

Do I need to register to vote on Measure 1?

North Dakota is the only state in the country with no voter registration system. Eligible North Dakotans vote by presenting a valid ID at the polls. Visit the North Dakota Secretary of State's election website for information on accepted forms of ID and polling locations.

When will North Dakotans vote on Measure 1?

Measure 1 is on the November 2026 General Election ballot.

Is Measure 1 partisan?

The legislature that referred Measure 1 to voters is Republican-controlled. However, research consistently shows that voters across the political spectrum — regardless of party — support simple majority rule and view it as a matter of basic fairness. For more on the nonpartisan nature of direct democracy and majority rule, see our article on [what direct democracy is and why it matters].

How could a small number of voters block an amendment under Measure 1?

Because constitutional amendments can appear on the June Primary ballot — when turnout is much lower than in November — the absolute number of voters needed to make up the 40%+1 blocking threshold can be very small. Based on recent elections, as few as 45,019 North Dakota voters could constitute that blocking share in a primary, representing about 7.6% of all eligible North Dakota voters.

What would Measure 1 change?

It would make it significantly harder for constitutional amendments to pass. Under the current system, a majority of North Dakotans can approve a constitutional change. Under Measure 1, a minority of just over 40% could block an amendment even if most North Dakotans supported it. When you look at actual voter turnout, the number of North Dakotans who could overrule an amendment is actually even smaller—more like 20%. Imagine a scenario where 1 in 5 people control a vote, even if 4 out of 5 want something different to happen—that's what could happen if Measure 1 passes.

Where did Measure 1 come from?

The North Dakota General Assembly voted to place Measure 1 on the ballot. It did not originate from citizen petition.

What is Measure 1 in North Dakota?

Measure 1 is a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment on North Dakota's November 2026 General Election ballot. If passed, it would raise the threshold for any future constitutional amendment — citizen-initiated or legislature-referred — from a simple majority (50%+1) to minority rule. It would require 60% of voters to pass any amendment, meaning that just over 40% could block amendments. This is minority rule. Read more about minority rule here.

What North Dakota ballot measures should I watch in 2026?

A significant question facing North Dakota voters in 2026 is Measure 1, a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment that would require future constitutional amendments to pass with 60% of the vote rather than a simple majority. Read our full breakdown: [What Is Measure 1 in North Dakota? The 2026 Supermajority Vote Explained]

How can I get involved in statewide ballot measure campaigns in North Dakota?

Beyond voting, you can volunteer with campaigns that are actively working to qualify or pass measures you care about. Check the websites of advocacy organizations working on issues in North Dakota to find campaigns seeking volunteers — whether for signature gathering, canvassing, or voter outreach.

What is early voting in North Dakota?

North Dakota offers in-person early voting in the weeks before Election Day. Hours and locations can vary by county and election, so visit the North Dakota Secretary of State's election website for current details.

Does North Dakota require voter registration?

No — North Dakota is the only state in the country without a voter registration system. Instead of registering in advance, eligible North Dakotans simply bring a valid form of ID to the polls on Election Day. To confirm what ID is acceptable and find your polling location, visit the North Dakota Secretary of State's election website.

Are ballot measures partisan in North Dakota?

No. Ballot measures are policy questions, not candidate races, and voters of any party affiliation can vote however they choose. Research shows that voters across the political spectrum — Democrats, Republicans, independents, and unaffiliated voters — value the ability to decide on laws directly. The process has been used successfully by coalitions that cross party lines entirely.

How many signatures are needed to place a measure on the North Dakota ballot?

For 2026, the requirement is 15,582 valid signatures for a citizen-initiated statute or veto referendum (2% of the state's population), and 31,164 signatures for a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment (4%). Signatures must be submitted at least 120 days before the election, and petitions may only circulate for one year.

What is a ballot measure in North Dakota

A ballot measure is a policy question placed on a ballot for voters in North Dakota to answer to approve or reject. Measures can add, change, or repeal state statutes or constitutional provisions. They can be placed on the ballot by citizens through signature collection or by the legislature through a referral vote.

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Does a supermajority requirement apply to all elections?

No. Some apply only to citizen-initiated measures, not to legislatively referred measures. Some supermajority requirements apply only to constitutional amendments, not to statutory ballot measures. The specifics vary significantly from state to state.

Is a supermajority requirement the same as minority rule?

In practice, any supermajority threshold gives a minority coalition the power to defeat a majority-supported measure. The higher the threshold, the greater the power of the minority. If 60% is required for passage, a blocking coalition needs only 40% of voters plus one vote to be successful

What is the main argument for a supermajority requirement?

Proponents argue that important decisions — such as changes to a state constitution — should reflect a very broad social consensus rather than a narrow majority.

What is the main argument against a supermajority requirement?

Critics argue that supermajority requirements create minority rule by allowing a smaller group of voters to block policies supported by a majority, undermining the core democratic principle that the side with more votes wins.

How do I vote?

States offer several ways to cast a ballot: by mail, early in person,or on Election Day in person. How to vote depends on your state. Thefederal government recommends contacting state or local electionoffices for current voting methods and locations because sites andhours can vary by election and county.

How do I register to vote?

Registering to vote is the single most critical step in exercising your power in direct democracy. You must ensure your registration is active before any election cycle. It varies by state, and it’s best to check your registration status before every major election, especially if you have moved or have not voted in recent years. Accessing voter education resources through your state's official election website is the best way to confirm your eligibility and registration details. Click below to find details for your state:

Who Supports Majority Rule?

Support for majority rule cuts across party lines. Voters consistently express a preference for simple majority rule. Here is a list of states where voters have resoundingly supported majority rule in recent years:

  • Ohio (2023) — Issue 1
     Proposed 60% supermajority for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments
    Result: Rejected by voters 57% No, 43% Yes
  • South Dakota (2022) — Amendment C
     Proposed 60% supermajority for ballot measures increasing taxes or appropriating ≥$10M  Result: Rejected by voters 67% No, 33% Yes
  • Arkansas (2022) — Issue 2
     Proposed 60% supermajority for constitutional amendments and citizen-initiated measures
    Result: Rejected by voters 59% No, 41% Yes
  • South Dakota (2018) — Amendment X
     Proposed 55% supermajority for all constitutional amendments
    Result: Rejected by voters 54% No, 46% Yes

Why it matters: Requiring more than a simple majority of votes to pass something shifts power away from the majority and gives the minority the power to block popular policies. For example, if a state required 60% of the vote to pass an amendment instead of 50%, just 40% of voters could block any measure regardless of the issue – whether it’s increasing public safety spending, lowering taxes, feeding kids, just 40% of voters could say no, and the measure would fail.

What are the pros and cons of simple majorities and supermajorities?

In the context of ballot measures, “majority rule” typically refers to the standard of a simple majority deciding the outcome of a vote. Simple majority rule is an effective structure to ensure that the majority of voters have their preferences heard. It is a founding principle of American democracy.

Supermajorities are more controversial. Debate often centers on the merits of coalescing a broad coalition to support something vs the reality that supermajorities deliver significant power to minority viewpoints. When states set higher bars for passage, it can functionally turn majority rule into minority rule. In this scenario, a coalition of just more than 40% of voters can effectively block a policy supported by the other nearly 60% of voters. This gives a relatively small number of voters veto power over the majority, which undermines the fairness of the democratic process.

What is a supermajority?

Supermajorities require even a higher threshold of support to pass. Sometimes supermajorities require 55% support for passage, sometimes 60% support for passage, sometimes more. This means that a minority of voters can block popular policies. If a policy requires 60% to pass, then just more than 40% of voters can block it.

What is majority rule?

Majority rules means that a candidate or question needs more than 50% of the total votes cast in an election to win. Nearly all elections in the United States are decided by simply majority rule. It’s simple, and it works.

Are ballot measures partisan?

No

How is direct democracy different from representative democracy?

Representative Democracy is the democratic system we’re most used to in the United States – voters elect officials to represent their interests and those officials make policy decisions on the people’s behalf. The people’s will is represented by those they elect. This is how Congress, the U.S. Senate and state governments work.

Direct Democracy allows voters to decide policy questions directly through ballot measures or referendums. Direct democracy does not require representation from politicians – it puts the power to pass policy directly in the hands of voters. 26 states allow citizens to put questions on the ballot themselves.

Why it matters: Direct democracy acts as a critical check and balance on representative government. When elected officials fail to act on critical issues or push through policies that are out of step with the majority, direct democracy gives citizens the power to hold the government accountable and enact the laws they need directly.

What is direct democracy?

Direct democracy is a system of democratic government in which the public makes policy decisions directly, often via a ballot measure.

What is a ballot measure?

A ballot measure is a policy question that appears on a ballot for voters to decide. Ballot measures allow voters to directly adopt or reject proposed laws and constitutional amendments. Ballot measures usually appear towards the end of a ballot, after you select candidates for office. Ballot measures can be voted on in general elections, primary elections, or special elections.

Twenty-six states and hundreds of local governments — cities, counties, and towns — have some kind of citizen-initiated ballot measure process. State legislatures in every state can also refer questions to the ballot for voters to decide.