Press Release 10.16.24
South Dakota -- Outrage at Use of Military Images and Deception by Opposition Mailer Flood Vote No on H Campaign
The Vote No on Amendment H committee, which opposes the ballot issue aiming to bring California's primary voting system to South Dakota, is being inundated with phone calls, text messages, and social media posts from upset South Dakota voters. These concerns stem from both mailer and matching television ads from the opposition- the vote Y on Amendment H. The Yes on H mailer and commercials show alleged military personnel in uniform with duct tape over their mouths and claiming that military veterans are excluded from the South Dakota Primary Election.
South Dakota resident and Veteran, Adam Long, posted a passionate video on Facebook. “This isn’t if you’re a Republican or a Democrat. This isn’t if you’re a yes or a no on this Amendment.”, Long said. He got visibly upset as he continued while holding up the advertisement with the pictures on it. “It’s about being a decent human being who has respect for this flag, Veterans, and not putting actors in a uniform that have absorbed the last drop of blood that thousands of thousands of people, my brothers and sisters died wearing….That uniform stands for something. And it doesn’t stand for your political agendas and your slimly, slimy tactics. Shame on you!”, Long said. When asked what made him create the video, Long replied, “Seeing the sheer disrespect for the uniform triggered me. This is a uniform. Not a costume. Hero’s wear uniforms. Actors wear costumes. This image (of tape across the mouth as in being captured by the enemy) shows people in danger mode. It’s a rescue mode image that triggered me. I respect both sides of political thought. There’s a line that needs to be drawn and they crossed it. By using them (people in uniforms) as political puppets is sick.”, Long concluded.
Juliann Talkington, spokesperson for the Vote No on Amendment H committee, explained that the flood of these complaints on the Yes on H advertisements warranted a response. “The people pushing Amendment H are trying to use deception to change voting in South Dakota. The latest ad showing Veterans with taped mouths is especially insulting. I worked in the polls in the primary elections in 2022 and 2024. Veterans voted both times. The people of South Dakota are honest and don’t like trickery and deception. So, this latest round of false advertising will have us all reading between the lines and Voting No on Amendment H.”
Other private citizens as well as veteran candidates also voiced their opinions on social media. One Facebook post from Watertown read, “As a veteran, this angers me! We have always had a voice-same as every other South Dakotan!” Another post showed an altered image of the mailer with the word “LIE!” hand-written below it, and the person added, “I have family members who are military, and I recognized the lie right away.”
The mailer came from a Virginia address. At the time of the news release, the organization's name on the mailer does not appear to have registered as a PAC with the Virginia Secretary of State. The estimated cost of sending a mailer across South Dakota is tens of thousands of dollars. South Dakota citizens are concerned about the possible laws regarding the questionable organization, use of military in uniform, and misleading messages for both the mailer and television commercial. Concerned citizens contacted the South Dakota Attorney General’s office.
The No on Amendment H committee encourages voters to research the issues and review the proposed language before casting their ballots.
For more information, visit www.NoOnAmendmentH.com.
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Press Release 09.18.24
South Dakota -- Exposed: Backroom Bankers Meeting Meant To Shut Down Financial Support to No on Amendment H
The images of smoke-filled backroom deals used to be stories heard elsewhere. But now, a true picture of mixing big banking, Zoom meetings, and ballots is closer to home in South Dakota.
No On Amendment H, a grassroots Ballot Question Committee, received a concerning report about a closed-door bankers’ meeting. Approximately 50 South Dakota banking power players from across the state and the Yes On Amendment H committee heads recently held a private meeting in response to the unexpected formation of the opposing No On Amendment H campaign.
Sources say those in attendance were the heads of the banking community, other banking leaders, and Yes On Amendment H Co-Chairs Joe Kirby and Dee Knutson. No On Amendment H campaign chair Ezra Hays said his group was not informed or invited. According to the sources, Kirby told the bankers that South Dakota citizens who are challenging Yes On Amendment H are bad for business and South Dakota. In an effort to stop citizens from speaking up against Amendment H and other issues, it was clear from those speaking at the meeting that bankers and the banking community would not be supporting the NO On Amendment H group.
Hays released a statement after hearing about this backroom deal. “This closed-door meeting shows this whole Yes On Amendment H campaign is more about so-called elitists setting up a power grab, letting South Dakotans know how things will happen in this state. This deceptive playbook of primary voting has nothing to do with “fairness” as that group uses as a selling tactic, but rather a well-timed ploy to silence those who dare rise up to be the voice of the common person.” Hays said, “This and the documented $450,000 PAC money from out of state and other large donations from a small group of South Dakota elitists outwardly shows it’s nothing more than a Trojan Horse to get signatures and votes so the powers at the top don’t have to deal with the “little” people. If H gets through, it’s all over for Independent party voters and other private citizens who don’t have the money or connections in their current political parties,” Hays said. “A vote no on H is crucial to protect not just the Primary election process but also other ballot issues in the future.
Amendment H is the “California-style” Primary election voting system that would change South Dakota’s Constitution regarding the current primary election process. According to current South Dakota law, all registered voters can vote in the State primary, and each party winner will move on to the general election in November. Only the top two vote-getters move on to the election if Amendment H passes, giving South Dakotans fewer choices in the general election. A vote no on Amendment H keeps the current primary election process.
No on Amendment H reached out to the South Dakota Bankers Association and asked to speak but has yet to receive a reply.
For more information, visit www.NoOnAmendmentH.com
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Press Release 09.05.24
South Dakota--- RARE SIGHTING SEEN IN POLITICS
In South Dakota, seeing unity between Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians on an issue is rarer than spotting the fabled Jack-a-lope. However, Vote No On Amendment H released a statement stating this rarity has happened; these groups support a No vote on the Amendment H ballot issue. Amendment H deals with the election process for Primary voting.
Vote No on Amendment H chair Ezra Hays says, “We are pleased with the unity across the board on this crucial ballot issue that affects voters and non-voters alike. Whether one is Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, Republican, or any party, this issue is bigger than Party names or titles. Hays went on to say, “When the issue of bringing California and Washington state election-styled primaries to South Dakota showed up on the ballot, combined with the out-of-state money and backroom deals, people from across the state put their other differences aside and are speaking out in unison for a No vote on Amendment H. We appreciate the civil conversations and support across the South Dakota landscape. We all look forward to working together to spread the word. It is a big No this November.”
The issue agreed upon revolves around the voting process for Primary elections. According to the South Dakota Secretary of State and the South Dakota Constitution, all registered voters and party affiliations can vote in the South Dakota Primary. Currently, Democrats and Independents can vote for Democrat candidates. Libertarians and Independents can vote for Libertarian candidates. Republicans can vote for Republican candidates. If an Independent Party voter wants to vote for a Republican candidate, that voter simply registers as a Republican. The winner of those parties faces each other in the General Election.
“The way the primary election process is now ensures there is at least a chance for a minority, such a Democrat or Independent voter and or even an underdog Republican, to face off against the opposing party in the general election,” Hays said. If Yes goes through, it will be easy to shut out the voices of those who don’t have enough connections or finances to run. The same can be said for any future ballot issues as well. A No on Amendment H keeps it the fairest for everyone and keeps California-styled primaries out of our state, “ Hays said.
For more information on Amendment H, visit www.NoOnAmendmentH.com
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Press Release 07.30.24
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.
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