News Release
For Immediate Release
Attn: News Director
July 30, 2024
Contact: Ezra Hays, Ballot Question Committee Chair, Vote No on H
(605) 606-1664 [email protected]
South Dakota–VOTE NO ON H CAMPAIGN FORMED TO PROTECT CURRENT VOTING PROCESS
Today, “Vote No on H” has formally launched a Ballot Question Committee campaign. Vote NO on H
refers to the South Dakota Amendment H on the November ballot and decides how candidates are
selected in the South Dakota primaries. A NO vote on H will preserve and protect the current system in
South Dakota.
There are multiple primary systems across the United States. Currently, California and Washington are
the states that are most like the proposed change for South Dakota’s primary system. Also known as a
“jungle” primary system, it creates a distinct disadvantage for underfunded candidates, involved voters,
and opens the door to out-of-state money and interference.
The Vote No On H committee was formed by concerned South Dakotans from across the state. The
committee’s purpose is to educate, inform and encourage voters on why a NO vote on Amendment H is
crucial. A NO vote will stop attempts by local and well-funded out-of-state groups to usher in a dangerous
voting system for primary elections. According to the Vote No On H website, which headlines its site with
a graphic equating the passage of Amendment H to the symbolic “Trojan Horse” and the attack it would
bring inside the South Dakota borders, it states, “it may seem like a step toward greater inclusivity, but
this attack on the current healthy Primary method poses significant risks to the integrity and fairness of
our political system. This amendment would enable the manipulation of our democratic process and give
well-funded special interest groups more control. It would do more harm than good, ultimately weakening
the democratic process….”
According to Vote No On H Chair, South Dakotan Ezra Hays, misinformation is being circulated to
undermine the current system. Hays is concerned about the attempted sabotage of South Dakota’s
Primary voting method. “There is nothing ‘open’ about this. This damaging change to our current system
would shut down the voters’ voice and leave them at the mercy of the highest donors from across the
United States to fill the top spots. Financial records reveal that huge amounts of out-of-state money has
already been brought into South Dakota just to get this amendment on the ballot. Imagine the power
these same people will have if Amendment H passes,” Hays emphasized. “There is nothing fair and
balanced about this new method. It is designed to corrupt our current system. We must vote NO on H,” he
said.
Hays says what he hears across the state is, “Don’t California our South Dakota. To prevent that, we need
to ‘Vote NO on H’,” Hays said.
To learn more about Vote NO on H visit www.NoOnAmendmentH.com