Advertise
Contact
Forms
EEdition
Freeman Courier


  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Photos
    • Photos Of The Day
    • Photo Galleries
  • South Dakota News Watch
  • Archives
    • More Archives
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Obituaries
    • Photos
      • Photos Of The Day
      • Photo Galleries
    • South Dakota News Watch
    • Archives
      • More Archives
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
news
By News Staff  
October 28, 2020

VOTERS WILL HAVE THEIR SAY TUESDAY

JEREMY WALTNER  –  PUBLISHER

Voters across the country will head to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 3 for a general election headlined by a contentious race for president between Republican incumbent Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. But there’s more on the ballot than that, including in South Dakota, where voters will weigh in on three ballot issues — two of which would legalize marijuana in the state and a third that would legalize sports betting in Deadwood.

The ballot issues pertaining to marijuana are Constitutional Amendment A, which would legalize and regulate it for recreational use for those 21 and older, and Initiated Measure 26, which would legalize it for medical purposes.

If passed, Constitutional Amendment A would allow for the possession and sale of up to one ounce of marijuana with a tax of 15%. Revenue from licensing fees and tax would be distributed evenly between public schools and the general fund. The estimated net revenues for FY2021 is more than $355,000, with that number increasing exponentially through FY2024, when estimates increase to more than $29.3 million.

If passed, Initiated Measure 26 allows for use marijuana by patients — including minors — to “alleviate debilitating medical conditions certified by the patients’ practitioners,” according to the Attorney General’s explanation on the ballot. Qualifying patients would have to obtain a registered card from the South Dakota Department of Health.

The third ballot issue is Constitutional Amendment B, which would authorize the Legislature to allow sports wagering in the historic city of Deadwood, which is not currently allowed by the South Dakota Constitution in the same way roulette, keno, craps, some card games and slot machines are.

A “yes” vote on any of the three ballot measures would be to adopt them into law.

The other political races local voters will see on the ballot are as follows:

For United States Senator: Incumbent Mike Rounds (R) vs. challenger Dan Ahlers (D);

For United State Representative: Incumbent Dusty Johnson (R) vs. challenger Randy “Uriah” Luallin (Libertarian Party);

For Public Utilities Commissioner: Incumbent Gary Hanson (R) vs. challengers Devin Saxon (L) and Remi W. B. Bald Eagle (D);

Local voters will also see uncontested races for a District 19 Senator — incumbent Kyle Schoenfish (R) is the only candidate on the ballot — and for District 19 Representative. In that race, voters may choose up to two candidates; Kent Peterson (R) and Marty Overweg (R) are both on the ballot.

Finally, this year’s General Election in South Dakota includes the question of whether Supreme Court Justice Steven Jensen, whose term expires on Jan. 1, 2021, should be retained on the highest court in the state. Voters will provide a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

Related Posts
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store


Editor’s Picks
Most Read
ALL-FREEMAN SPORTS DEAL A GO
news
ALL-FREEMAN SPORTS DEAL A GO
By Jeremy Waltner 
April 21, 2025
Freeman Public School Board votes 5-0 at special meeting Monday night to accept proposal from Freeman Academy for 2025-26 partnership; team will play ...
this is a test
AT SAARIE AUTO BODY, NEXT GENERATION SETTLES IN
news
AT SAARIE AUTO BODY, NEXT GENERATION SETTLES IN
By Jeremy Waltner 
May 7, 2025
Thirty-seven years after his dad, Blaine, started the business at the age of 24, another 24-year-old — Shay — has returned For Blaine Saarie, somethin...
this is a test
PUBLISHER’S DESK: THAT RAINBOW
news
PUBLISHER’S DESK: THAT RAINBOW
By Jeremy Waltner 
April 23, 2025
Did that really just happen? That was the thought that crossed my mind as my eyelids lifted at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday after a late night of work. And I was...
this is a test
PHOTO OF THE DAY: MEETING TIME
photo day
PHOTO OF THE DAY: MEETING TIME
By Jeremy Waltner 
April 17, 2025
Members of the Freeman Academy Board of Directors, seated on the left, and board and school officials from Freeman Public are pictured during a specia...
this is a test
PHOTO OF THE DAY: HISTORIC VIEW
photo day
PHOTO OF THE DAY: HISTORIC VIEW
By Jeremy Waltner 
April 21, 2025
Heritage Hall Museum & Archives shared this photo on Monday, April 21 as part of its weekly look back, along with this explanation: This photo from 19...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Freeman Courier

Stay tuned with us

Accessibility Policy
Privacy
Forms

Copyright © Freeman Courier. All rights reserved.