Two measures, a repeal of the state human consumption tax and an effort to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, failed at the ballot box. Now, advocates question how to best move forward.
Constitutional Amendment G, related to restoring abortion access, lost by 8-and-a-half points. Initiated Measure 28, related to tax on items for human consumption, failed at an even wider margin. Both measures were sponsored by the group Dakotans for Health.
While criticisms have been leveled from multiple angles, including the specific wordings of the measures and the ground game from opposition, some advocates say opposition misled voters. That includes Rick Weiland, executive director of the group.
“The charges they made were not factually based, they were fear based," Weiland said. "As we know in politics, sometimes fear trumps just about everything. We saw that on Amendment G and we saw that on the food tax.”
Opposition predicted a state budget crunch of over $100 million if IM 28 passed, and much of the Amendment G opposition framed the measure as “too extreme.” Weiland objects. He said the proposal would have created a carbon copy of Roe V. Wade protections.
“My hope, ultimately, was using the construct of Roe – we were covering 99% of all abortions that occur in this county," Weiland said. "That happen in those first two trimesters, right? It was out hope that we would draw some national support, but it never materialized.”
South Dakota’s current abortion regulation offers no exceptions in the cases of rape, incest or fetal impairments, which some consider extreme in turn. As such, Weiland said the loss represents a setback for South Dakota.
“To force women to suffer through, I just think that’s barbaric, and I don’t think women in South Dakota are going to stand for it," Weiland said. "They’ll be back, with a vengeance, and I really fully expect you’ll see something in the next two years. ‘G’s too extreme,’ well, now that’s on them.”
Abortion was on the ballot in 10 states. Including South Dakota, only three saw voters reject expanded protections for abortion access.