Editorial: Upcoming ballot measure descriptions clear, concise

One Dakota’s citizen-lawmaking process has been requiring the state attorney general to write explanations of the ballot measures that are being put to a statewide public vote.

No longer do South Dakota voters have to struggle through lengthy legal language, nor do they have to guess whether no means yes or yes means no.

We have read the explanations of the four measures on the November ballot. We think Attorney General Marty Jackley has accurately summarized what each would do.

The measures cover a broad range. Two are proposed constitutional amendments. Amendment K provides for the right to vote in secret, including in union elections. Amendment L would change the distribution of the cementplant trust fund’s earnings.

The third measure, known as Referred Law 12, is a vote on whether to uphold or reject the broader smoking ban passed by the Legislature in 2009.

The fourth is known as Initiated Measure 13 and is a proposed law that would legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

Each of the explanations is a few sentences long. They are generally easy to understand. We also have read the state Supreme Court’s decision regarding the AFL-CIO’s attempt to get Amendment K thrown off the ballot. We agree with the court that it’s premature for the court to act on its legality before the voters have decided whether to approve it or reject it.

Further, we agree with the court’s finding that Jackley’s explanation of K meets the standards set in law of being objective, clear and simple with the purpose to educate the voters within a limit of 200 words.

The ballot-measure explanations are helpful to voters and Jackley has fulfilled his legal duty.

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