South Dakota ballot: Four amendments and data center rules face final scrutiny

Voters in South Dakota face decisions on data center regulations and four constitutional changes during the Nov. 3 election. The final preview episode of Dakota Town Hall aired on Oct. 30, focusing on how these issues affect local resources and state governance. The broadcast featured candidates and state observers who discussed the practical implications of the measures listed on the ballot.

Michael Calabrese, the Democratic challenger for State Senate District 34, opened the program. He is co-owner of Black Hills Vinyl in Rapid City with his wife. Calabrese stated that regulating data centers would be a top priority if he unseats incumbent Republican Sen. Taffy Howard. He did not participate in the segment alongside the panel of state observers, but his remarks set the tone for the local economic debate.

Calabrese argued that local ordinances are insufficient to manage projects that may impact regional water supplies. He called for statewide rules governing water usage, environmental reviews, and financial protections for communities. While he expressed concern that large-scale data centers do not fit the local water constraints, he distinguished these massive facilities from smaller server rooms and existing infrastructure.

A subsequent panel examined the statewide ballot questions. The group included Nathan Sanderson from the South Dakota Retailers Association, Patrick Lalley from Sioux Falls Live, and Seth Tupper from South Dakota Searchlight. They debated the merits and risks of the proposed constitutional amendments, with particular attention paid to the process for changing the state framework.

Amendment L proposes raising the threshold for passing future constitutional amendments to 60 percent voter approval. Sanderson supported this change, arguing that the constitution should remain a broad framework for government rather than a repository for detailed policy decisions. He believed that specific policies belong in state legislation, which is easier to modify.

Lalley challenged the logic behind Amendment L. He noted that supporters often seek constitutional protection when the legislature fails to act on voter-approved initiatives. Tupper cited Medicaid expansion as a case in point, noting that advocates turned to the ballot after lawmakers declined to adopt the policy through regular legislation. This exchange highlighted a central disagreement over whether the amendment process is being used too frequently for policy or if it is a necessary check on legislative inaction.

Amendment I addresses Medicaid expansion and federal funding. The proposal would make the state’s requirement for expanded Medicaid conditional on the level of federal support. Sanderson framed the issue as a fiscal responsibility question, asking how much additional cost the state should absorb if federal funding decreases. Other panelists focused on the impact on residents who rely on the coverage for affordable health care.

The program also reviewed two other measures sent to voters by the Legislature. Amendment J concerns U.S. citizenship as a requirement for voting. Amendment K proposes the creation of a trust fund for unclaimed property. These two measures received less airtime than the Medicaid and amendment threshold questions but remain part of the final vote for South Dakota residents.

The discussion concluded with a review of the official resources available to voters. The full episode from Oct. 30 is accessible through Dakota Town Hall. The South Dakota secretary of state provides official ballot explanations and voter information at sdsos.gov. These materials offer the definitive text for the four amendments and the specific data center provisions under consideration.