SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The 2024 General Election is only a few months away, but a Florida man is trying to put an initiated measure on the 2026 South Dakota ballot.
According to the secretary of state’s office, two topics are listed as potential ballot questions: an initiated measure to require a non-denominational prayer in K-12 public schools and an initiated measure for fair market value assessed property.
The sponsor for the school prayer-initiated measure is Hillel Hellinger, of North Miami Beach, Florida, while Joe Hurly, of Sioux Falls, is the sponsor of the market value assess property-initiated measure.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Marty Jackley released his draft title and explanation required by law for all proposed initiated measures. Jackley’s ballot explanation says it would require each public-school teacher, in grades Kindergarten through 12, to lead students every morning in prayer. Students and teachers would be able to file for a religious exemption.
The public can provide written comments on the draft explanation until Aug. 30, 2024.
Both ballot questions have not been approved by the secretary of state’s office for signature circulation.
The initiated measure would require over 17,500 valid petition signatures to qualify for the 2026 General Election ballot.
In the upcoming 2024 election, there will be seven ballot measures South Dakotans will vote on.
