On February 5, the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee passed SB 95 by a vote of 4-2. The bill says candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and legislature may avoid petitioning if they pay a filing fee of 1% of the annual salary of the office. This is true for candidates trying to get on a primary ballot, and it is also true for independent candidates.

The committee has seven members. Both Democrats on the committee, Billie Sutton and Troy Heinert, voted “yes.” Two Republicans, Bob Ewing and Ried Holien, voted “yes.” Two Republicans, Scott Fiegen and Jenna Haggar, voted “no.” Betty Olson was excused for that hearing.