South Dakota ballot measures 2026, explained
4 statewide measures on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Each one in plain words: what it does, what a yes and a no vote mean, and the best case on both sides. No recommendations.
Your South Dakota ballot, in order. Tap a measure for the full explainer.
Constitutional Amendment IConstitutional amendmentFailed (projected)
Medicaid funding condition
Expanded Medicaid helps some adults pay for health care. This would keep that constitutional rule only while the federal government pays at least 90 percent, like sharing a bill only while a friend pays nine of ten dollars.
- Yes vote
- The constitutional requirement for Medicaid expansion would end if federal funding falls below 90 percent.
- No vote
- The constitutional requirement for Medicaid expansion would remain even if federal funding falls below 90 percent.
Constitutional Amendment JConstitutional amendmentPassed (projected)
Citizenship required to vote
South Dakota already limits voting to citizens. This would write that rule more directly into the state Constitution, like putting an existing rule on a big permanent sign.
- Yes vote
- The Constitution would expressly disqualify people who are not U.S. citizens from voting in any election.
- No vote
- The Constitution would not receive this added citizenship language.
Constitutional Amendment KConstitutional amendmentPassed (projected)
Unclaimed property trust fund
When people forget money in old accounts, the state holds it and people can still claim it. This would put the money in a protected savings fund that can earn interest, like a lost-and-found box that also grows money.
- Yes vote
- Net unclaimed-property receipts would go into a constitutional trust fund, with claims paid and part of the earnings available to the state.
- No vote
- The new constitutional trust fund would not be created and current law would continue.
Constitutional Amendment LConstitutional amendmentFailed (projected)
Sixty percent amendment rule
Changing the Constitution currently needs more than half of the votes. This would require at least 60 out of 100 voters to agree, like needing six friends instead of five to change the biggest rulebook.
- Yes vote
- Future constitutional amendments and revisions would need approval from 60 percent of voters voting on the question.
- No vote
- Constitutional amendments would continue to need a simple majority of votes cast on the question.
How sure is this guide?
Where the four AIs disagreed
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok each researched South Dakota's ballot on their own, with web search. The score is how closely their answers matched. Where they split, check the official voter guide before you trust either side.
76/ 100Partial agreement
Amendment I if federal funding falls
- GPT-5.6 Terra: The constitutional requirement would end, but coverage is not said to end automatically.
- Claude Sonnet 5.5: The Attorney General says coverage ends automatically; lawmakers dispute this.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash: Expanded Medicaid coverage will end if federal funding falls below 90%.
- Grok 4.5: The Attorney General says expanded coverage ends if funding falls below 90%.
Amendment I fiscal estimates
- GPT-5.6 Terra: No state cost estimate identified.
- Claude Sonnet 5.5: No estimate found for costs if federal funding falls.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash: No dollar estimate given; potential state costs avoided.
- Grok 4.5: Reports about $36 million more yearly per 10% federal-share drop.
Amendment I named supporters and opponents
- GPT-5.6 Terra: No supporters or opponents identified.
- Claude Sonnet 5.5: Names legislators and campaigns on both sides.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash: Names the Legislature and Chamber as supporters; no opponents.
- Grok 4.5: Names multiple groups and officials on both sides.
Before you vote
This guide was written by AI models with web search and does not tell you how to vote. Details can be wrong: your sample ballot and South Dakota's official voter guide are the final word.
Still have a question?
A local measure, or what this ballot means for your taxes or job? See where four AIs agree.