Court Opinion

ID: 901960
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-06-13 01:02:26.070587+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:14:38.847152
License: Public Domain

#25642-a-DG

2010 SD 62

                             IN THE SUPREME COURT
                                     OF THE
                            STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

                                    * * * *

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE FEDERATION                   Applicant and Appellant,
OF LABOR AFL-CIO,

      v.

MARTY JACKLEY, South Dakota                     Respondent and Appellee,
Attorney General,

      and

CHRIS NELSON, Secretary of State,               Respondent.

                                    * * * *

                    APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT
                     OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
                    HUGHES COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA

                                    * * * *

                        HONORABLE JOHN L. BROWN
                                Judge

                                    * * * *

STEVEN D. SANDVEN
Attorney at Law                           Attorney for applicant
Sioux Falls, South Dakota                 and appellant.

MARTY J. JACKLEY
Attorney General

PATRICIA ARCHER
Assistant Attorney General                Attorneys for respondent
Pierre, South Dakota                      and appellee.

                                    * * * *

                                          CONSIDERED ON BRIEFS
                                          July 13, 2010

                                          OPINION FILED 07/21/10
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Gilbertson, Chief Justice

[¶1.]        The narrow issue on appeal is whether the Attorney General’s ballot

explanation of proposed Constitutional Amendment K complies with the

requirements of SDCL 12-13-9. The trial court upheld the ballot explanation and

denied South Dakota State Federation of Labor AFL-CIO’s (AFL-CIO) request for a

writ of certiorari. We affirm.

                                        FACTS

[¶2.]        Pursuant to Article XXIII, §1 of the South Dakota Constitution,

amendments to South Dakota’s Constitution “may be proposed by initiative or by a

majority vote of all members of each house of the Legislature.” Under this

authority, the South Dakota Legislature in its 2010 session enacted Senate Joint

Resolution 3 “[p]roposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election

an amendment to Article VI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota,

relating to the right of individuals to vote by secret ballot.” Article VI of the South

Dakota Constitution is the South Dakota Bill of Rights. The text of proposed

Constitutional Amendment K, which will become §28 of Article VI if passed,

provides:

             The rights of individuals to vote by secret ballot is fundamental.
             If any state or federal law requires or permits an election for
             public office, for any initiative or referendum, or for any
             designation or authorization of employee representation, the
             right of any individual to vote by secret ballot shall be
             guaranteed.

[¶3.]        On May 12, 2010, the Attorney General delivered an explanation of

proposed Constitutional Amendment K to the Secretary of State. SDCL 12-13-9. It

provides:
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                                ATTORNEY GENERAL
                             2010 BALLOT EXPLANATION
                           CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT K

              Title: An Amendment to Article VI of the South Dakota
              Constitution relating to the right of individuals to vote by secret
              ballot.

              Explanation:

                     The proposed amendment to the Constitution would
              guarantee a right to vote by secret ballot to prevent others from
              knowing how a person voted. This right would apply to
              elections of public officers, adoption of initiated or referred
              measures, and elections to designate or authorize employee
              representation, such as elections concerning unions.

                        A vote “Yes” is for guaranteeing a right to vote by secret
              ballot.

                        A vote “No” is against the constitutional amendment.

[¶4.]         The AFL-CIO filed an application and affidavit for writ of certiorari

challenging the Attorney General’s ballot explanation for proposed Constitutional

Amendment K and asking that proposed Constitutional Amendment K be omitted

from the ballot for the November 2, 2010 general election. The trial court concluded

that the Attorney General did not exceed his statutory authorization under SDCL

12-13-9 and upheld the Attorney General’s ballot explanation for proposed

Constitutional Amendment K. Accordingly, the trial court denied AFL-CIO’s

request for a writ of certiorari.

                                ANALYSIS AND DECISION

[¶5.]         The full text of a proposed constitutional amendment is not printed on

the election ballot. Instead, “[t]he title, explanation, recitation, place for voting, and

statement as required by this chapter shall be printed on the ballot in lieu of the

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law, measure, constitutional amendment, or other question submitted to a vote of

the people.” SDCL 12-13-11. “The attorney general shall prepare each statement,

title, explanation, and recitation.” SDCL 12-13-1.

[¶6.]        Prior to July 1, 2006, SDCL 12-13-9 provided:

             Before the fourth Tuesday in July, the attorney general shall
             deliver to the secretary of state the statement, the title, the
             explanation, and a clear and simple recitation of the effect of a
             “Yes” or “No” vote. The explanation shall state succinctly the
             purpose and legal effect of the proposed amendment to the
             Constitution, the initiated measure, or the referred law. The
             explanation shall be a clear and simple summary of the issue
             and may not exceed two hundred words in length. On the
             printed ballots, the title shall be followed by the explanation
             and the explanation shall be followed by the recitation.

[¶7.]        Our case law examined this statute to determine what it required and

what it disallowed:

             The explanation must be factually accurate, legally accurate,
             concise, must not address collateral, theoretical or potential
             consequences of approval or disapproval by the voters, must not
             be a statement of personal opinion and must not attempt to
             advocate for or against the ballot question. See generally
             Hoogestraat v. Barnett, 1998 SD 104, 583 NW2d 421. However
             within this legal framework, the Attorney General is granted
             discretion as to how to author the ballot statement. Gormley v.
             Lan, 88 NJ 26, 438 A2d 519, 525 (1981). Moreover this Court’s
             function is a limited one. We merely determine if the Attorney
             General has complied with his statutory obligations and we do
             not sit as some type of literary editorial board.

Schulte v. Long, 2004 SD 102, ¶11, 687 NW2d 495, 498. The purpose of a ballot

explanation prior to July 1, 2006, was to identify an amendment to an informed

electorate rather than to educate the electorate. Hoogestraat, 1998 SD 104, ¶11,

583 NW2d at 424.

[¶8.]        In apparent response to our decisions in Hoogestraat and Schulte, the

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Legislature amended SDCL 12-13-9 in 2006 and 2007. 2006 SD Sess L ch 67, §3;

2007 SD Sess L ch 14, §2; 2007 SD Sess L ch 77, §1. Until July 1, 2010

SDCL 12-13-9 provides:

             Before the third Tuesday in May, the attorney general shall
             deliver to the secretary of state an attorney general’s statement
             for each proposed amendment to the Constitution, each initiated
             measure, and any referred measure from an odd year. The
             attorney general’s statement for each referred measure from an
             even year shall be delivered to the secretary of state before the
             second Tuesday in July. The attorney general’s statement shall
             be written by the attorney general and shall consist of a title, an
             explanation, and a clear and simple recitation of the effect of a
             “Yes” or “No” vote. The title shall be a concise statement of the
             subject of the proposed amendment, initiated measure, or
             referred measure authored by the attorney general, who may
             adopt the title used by the petition sponsors during the
             circulation process if that title is legally sufficient. The
             explanation shall be an objective, clear, and simple summary to
             educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the proposed
             amendment to the Constitution, the initiated measure, or the
             referred law. The attorney general shall include a description of
             the legal consequences of the proposed amendment, the
             initiated measure, or the referred law, including the likely
             exposure of the state to liability if the proposed amendment, the
             initiated measure, or the referred law is adopted. The
             explanation may not exceed two hundred words in length. On
             the printed ballots, the title shall be followed by the explanation
             and the explanation shall be followed by the recitation.

The 2009 Legislature also amended SDCL 12-13-9. That amendment is effective

July 1, 2010. The text of SDCL 12-13-9, effective July 1, 2010, as well as the text of

a new section, SDCL 12-13-25.1 is appended.

[¶9.]        The 2006 and 2007 amendments to SDCL 12-13-9 clarify the scope of

the authority delegated to the Attorney General when preparing ballot

explanations. SDCL 12-13-9 now specifically requires that the Attorney General’s

statement be “written by the attorney general” and the title be “authored by the

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attorney general.” The purpose of the explanation is no longer to identify the

amendment to an informed electorate rather than to educate it. Schulte, 2004 SD

102, ¶12, 687 NW2d at 498. SDCL 12-13-9 now requires that the explanation be an

“objective, clear, and simple summary to educate the voters of the purpose and effect

of the proposed amendment[.]” (Emphasis added). And, while the language of

SDCL 12-13-9 prior to 2006 allowed for a summary of the legal effect of an

amendment, that summary could not include “collateral, theoretical or potential

consequences which may or may not occur.” Hoogestraat, 1998 SD 104, ¶12, 583

NW2d at 424. Now, however, the Attorney General “shall include a description of

the legal consequences of the proposed amendment . . . including the likely exposure

of the state to liability if the proposed amendment . . . is adopted.” SDCL 12-13-9.

(Emphasis added). SDCL 12-13-9 sets forth the elements the Attorney General is

required to address in a ballot statement. Within this legal framework, however,

the Attorney General “is granted discretion as to how to author the ballot

statement.” Schulte, 2004 SD 102, ¶11, 687 NW2d at 498. This Court’s function is

limited. Id. “We merely determine if the Attorney General has complied with his

statutory obligations and we do not sit as some type of literary editorial board.” Id.

                                          A

[¶10.]       At issue in this case is whether the Attorney General’s ballot

explanation of proposed Constitutional Amendment K complies with the

requirements set forth in SDCL 12-13-9. Despite this narrow issue, the AFL-CIO

urged the trial court to order the Attorney General and Secretary of State to strike

proposed Constitutional Amendment K from the ballot. On appeal, the AFL-CIO

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urges this Court to decide the legality and constitutionality of proposed

Constitutional Amendment K in light of federal preemption law.

[¶11.]       Questions regarding the constitutionality of proposed constitutional

amendments are left “for such time as it is properly brought before us to determine

the issue.” Hoogestraat, 1998 SD 104, ¶20, 583 NW2d at 425 (Gilbertson, J.,

concurring, joined by Miller, C. J. and Konenkamp, J.). Until then it is up to the

people of South Dakota, and not the courts, to weigh the evidence and decide on the

wisdom and utility of the issue. Id.

[¶12.]       This Court has long held:

             The proposed amendment is on its way to the electors. Can this
             court, at this time, impede its progress? Can it be called upon to
             anticipate conditions which may never exist? Can it interpose
             its process between the legislature and electors, who are alone
             clothed with power to modify the fundamental law, before both
             have acted, and while the matter is pending and incomplete?
             The powers of the state government are divided into three
             distinct departments, -the legislative, executive, and judicial.
             The powers and duties of each are prescribed by the
             constitution. Const. art. 2. Power to amend the constitution
             belongs exclusively to the legislature and electors. It is
             legislation of the most important character. This court has
             power to determine what such legislation is, what the
             constitution contains, but not what it should contain. It has
             power to determine what statutory laws exist, and whether or
             not they conflict with the constitution; but it cannot say what
             laws shall or shall not be enacted. It has the power, and it is its
             duty, whenever the question arises in the usual course of
             litigation, wherein the substantial rights of any actual litigant
             are involved, to decide whether any statute has been legally
             enacted, or whether any change in the constitution has been
             legally effected, but it will hardly be contended that it can
             interpose in any case to restrain the enactment of an
             unconstitutional law. Mississippi v. Johnson, 4 Wall. 500. If
             the legislature cannot be enjoined when engaged in the
             enactment of unconstitutional statutes, it and the electors
             cannot be enjoined when engaged in an unwarranted attempt to
             amend the constitution.

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State ex rel Cranmer v Thorson, 9 SD 149, 154-155, 68 NW 202, 203-204 (1896).

[¶13.]       The Cranmer court refrained from expressing any opinion upon the

effect of the joint resolution as a proposed constitutional amendment. This Court

also refrains from expressing any opinion on the constitutionality of proposed

Constitutional Amendment K until the issue is properly before us.

                                            B

[¶14.]       The AFL-CIO contends that the Attorney General’s explanation

regarding proposed Constitutional Amendment K failed to provide “an objective,

clear, and simple summary to educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the

proposed amendment” as required by SDCL 12-13-9.

[¶15.]       Proposed Constitutional Amendment K, by its plain language,

guarantees an individual the fundamental right to vote by secret ballot “[i]f any

state or federal law permits an election for public office, for any initiative or

referendum, or for any designation or authorization of employee representation[.]”

The Attorney General’s statement explains that this proposed amendment “would

guarantee a right to vote by secret ballot to prevent others from knowing how a

person voted” and “would apply to elections of public officers, adoption of initiated

or referred measures, and elections to designate or authorize employee

representation, such as elections concerning unions.”

[¶16.]       SDCL 12-13-9 requires the Attorney General to write an objective,

clear, and simple summary to educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the

proposed amendment. In Schulte, 2004 SD 102, ¶16, n3, 687 NW2d at 499-500,

(citations omitted) we defined purpose as that “which one sets before him to obtain

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or accomplish” and effect as “that which is produced by an agent or cause; result;

outcome; consequence.”

[¶17.]       The Attorney General’s explanation offers an objective summary of the

language of proposed Constitutional Amendment K that educates the voters of its

purpose and effect. It explains the effect of a secret ballot and the instances it

would apply if proposed Constitutional Amendment K is passed. While the

explanation does not mirror the language of proposed Constitutional Amendment K,

it objectively educates the voters of its purpose and effect.

[¶18.]       The AFL-CIO devotes much of its argument to its belief that federal

law preempts proposed Constitutional Amendment K and that the Attorney

General should have explained the principle of waiver of the right to vote by secret

ballot. It believes the Attorney General should have said more. In Schulte

however, we noted that this Court:

             cannot be concerned with what the Attorney General should
             have said or could have said or might have said or what is
             implied or suggested by what he did say. Rather we must focus
             on the language chosen[.]

Schulte, 2004 SD 102 ¶18, 687 NW2d at 500.

                                           C

[¶19.]       The AFL-CIO also contends that the Attorney General’s ballot

explanation does not include “a description of the legal consequences of the proposed

amendment. . . . including the likely exposure of the state to liability if the proposed

amendment is adopted” as required by SDCL 12-13-9.

[¶20.]       In Hoogestraat, 1998 SD 104, ¶13, 583 NW2d at 424, we held that the

Attorney General’s statement that Proposed Constitutional Amendment E “could

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result in successful lawsuits against the State of South Dakota under the U.S.

Constitution” went beyond the narrow authority granted by SDCL 12-13-9,

exceeded the purpose of a ballot explanation, and was purely a statement of opinion

more appropriate to the political campaign and election process leading up to the

election. The concurrence by three Justices agreed that the language was not

authorized by SDCL 12-13-9, but noted “[t]hat is not to say that the Legislature

may not authorize such action if it chooses to do so in the future, only that it has not

done so at this present time.” Hoogestraat, 1998 SD 104, ¶19, 583 NW2d 421, 425

(Gilbertson, J. concurring, joined by Miller, C. J. and Konenkamp, J.).

[¶21.]       Since Hoogestraat was decided in 1998, the Legislature has expanded

the narrow authority originally granted to the Attorney General by SDCL 12-13-9.

A ballot explanation now educates the voters, in an objective manner, of “the

purpose and effect of the proposed amendment to the Constitution.” SDCL 12-13-9.

In addition, in accordance with the suggestion in Hoogestraat, SDCL 12-13-9 now

requires that the Attorney General “shall include a description of the legal

consequences of the proposed amendment . . . including the likely exposure of the

state to liability if the proposed amendment . . . is adopted.”

[¶22.]       The Attorney General is a constitutional officer whose duties require

that he or she act as the State’s lawyer. See generally SDCL 1-11-1. Included in

that is the obligation “whenever in his judgment the welfare of the state demands,

to appear for the state and prosecute or defend, in any court or before any officer,

any cause or matter, civil or criminal, in which the state may be a party or

interested…” SDCL 1-1-1(2). We have viewed the ethical considerations of an

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attorney’s calling as requiring the attorney, within the bounds of the law, to

exercise independent judgment on behalf of the client. See e.g. Matter of Estate of

Schuldt, 428 NW2d 251, 259 (SD 1988).

[¶23.]        The Attorney General is charged with writing ballot statements.

SDCL 12-13-9. Whether the Attorney General must include a statement of the

likelihood of exposure of the state to liability, is initially the discretionary

determination of the Attorney General. In the judicial context we have held that an

abuse of that discretion “refers to a discretion exercised to an end or purpose not

justified by, and clearly against reason and evidence.” Kaiser v. University

Physicians Clinic, 2006 SD 95, ¶29, 724 NW2d 186, 194. It is dependent on the

facts and legal issues of each individual case. There is no black letter test of when

the Attorney General is required to state there is the likelihood of future litigation if

a proposed amendment passes, and that it is likely that the state will be exposed to

liability if the proposed amendment is adopted.

[¶24.]        The legal consequence of whether there is a probability of litigation

including likely exposure to liability is broader than whether someone might

threaten, let alone will, sue the state over a proposed constitutional amendment.

That is always a possibility; our legal system does not preclude it. Otherwise such a

test would mandate a boilerplate admonition in every Attorney General ballot

statement that litigation is a possibility.

[¶25.]        While SDCL 12-13-9 does require certain acts upon the part of the

Attorney General in certain instances, such acts are premised on his initial legal

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opinion which is a discretionary one. SDCL 2-14-2.1 defines the term “shall” and

provides:

             As used in the South Dakota Codified Laws to direct any action,
             the term shall, manifests a mandatory directive and does not
             confer any discretion in carrying out the action so directed.

It is clear that the word “shall” is a mandatory directive as found in the definition in

SDCL 2-14-2.1. However, the word is not to be viewed in isolation. In construing

the applicability of the word “shall” we have held that “[s]tatutes and court rules

must be construed in their entirety. The effect of the word ‘shall’ may be

determined by the balance of the text of the statute or rule.” Truman v. Griese,

2009 SD 8, ¶28, 762 NW2d 75, 82 (quoting Discover Bank v. Stanley, 2008 SD 111,

¶21, 757 NW2d 756, 762-63.) The word “shall” is to be construed with the term

“legal consequences” in SDCL 12-13-9. Legal consequences is a general term not

readily capable of a specific definition. It is not defined anywhere in our code or

case law. Moreover, we also must consider the text and spirit of the amended

statute. In deciding what to state and how to state it, the Attorney General is

limited to 200 words. We have repeatedly held that how the Attorney General says

it is up to his professional discretion as attorney for the State. This Court does not

sit as an editorial review board. Thus, if the Attorney General by the exercise of his

professional legal judgment in his discretion determines that the legal consequences

of this ballot question would cause “likely exposure of the state to liability if the

proposed amendment is adopted” he must so state in the ballot explanation. Only

in that limited sense is the SDCL 12-13-9 mandatory.

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[¶26.]          The AFL-CIO seeks an advisory opinion from this Court directing the

re-drafting of the ballot explanation and striking proposed Constitutional

Amendment K from the ballot altogether. Requests to strike a proposed

amendment from the ballot are not appropriate in this proceeding. Hoogestraat,

1998 SD 104, ¶20, 583 NW2d at 425 (Gilbertson, J., concurring, joined by Miller, C.

J. and Konenkamp, J.). The trial court was correct in concluding that the Attorney

General did not abuse his discretion in his drafting of the ballot explanation.

[¶27.]          We affirm the judgment and order denying writ of certiorari.

[¶28.]          KONENKAMP, ZINTER, SEVERSON, Justices, and MILLER, Retired

Justice, concur.

[¶29.]          MILLER, Retired Justice, sitting for MEIERHENRY, Justice,

disqualified.

                                         APPENDIX

                Effective July 1, 2010, SDCL 12-13-9 deals with the Attorney

General’s ballot statement for amendments to the Constitution proposed by the

Legislature and referred measures. It provides:

                Before the third Tuesday in May, the attorney general shall deliver to
                the secretary of state an attorney general’s statement for each
                proposed amendment to the Constitution, each initiated measure,
                proposed by the Legislature, and any referred measure from an odd
                year. The attorney general’s statement for each referred measure from
                an even year shall be delivered to the secretary of state before the
                second Tuesday in July. The attorney general’s statement shall be
                written by the attorney general and shall consist of a title, an
                explanation, and a clear and simple recitation of the effect of a "Yes" or
                "No" vote. The title shall be a concise statement of the subject of the
                proposed amendment, initiated measure, or referred measure authored
                by the attorney general, who may adopt the title used by the petition
                sponsors during the circulation process if that title is legally sufficient .
                The explanation shall be an objective, clear, and simple summary to
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             educate the voters of the purpose and effect of the proposed
             amendment to the Constitution, the initiated measure, or the referred
             law. The attorney general shall include a description of the legal
             consequences of the proposed amendment, the initiated measure, or
             the referred law, including the likely exposure of the state to liability if
             the proposed amendment, the initiated measure, or the referred law is
             adopted. The explanation may not exceed two hundred words in
             length. On the printed ballots, the title shall be followed by the
             explanation and the explanation shall be followed by the recitation.

             This Act is effective July 1, 2010. The provisions of this Act do not
             apply to any initiative petition or initiated constitutional amendment
             petition filed with the secretary of state for the 2010 general election.
2009 SD Sess L ch 64, §10, §11. (Overstrikes and underline provided).

             Also effective July 1, 2010 is a new section, SDCL 12-13-25.1, which

deals with the Attorney General’s ballot statement in the case of an initiative or

initiated amendment to the Constitution. SDCL 12-13-25.1 provides:

             Following receipt of the written comments of the director of the
             Legislative Research Council, the sponsors shall submit a copy of the
             initiative or initiated amendment to the Constitution in final form, to
             the attorney general. The attorney general shall prepare an attorney
             general's statement which consists of a title and explanation. The title
             shall be a concise statement of the subject of the proposed initiative or
             initiated amendment to the Constitution. The explanation shall be an
             objective, clear, and simple summary to educate the voters of the
             purpose and effect of the proposed initiated measure or initiated
             amendment to the Constitution. The attorney general shall include a
             description of the legal consequences of the proposed amendment or
             initiated measure, including the likely exposure of the state to liability
             if the proposed amendment or initiated measure is adopted. The
             explanation may not exceed two hundred words in length. The
             attorney general shall file the title and explanation with the secretary
             of state and shall provide a copy to the sponsors within sixty days of
             receipt of the initiative or initiated amendment to the Constitution.

             If the petition is filed as set forth in § 2-1-2, the attorney general shall
             deliver to the secretary of state before the third Tuesday in May a
             simple recitation of a "Yes" or "No" vote. On the printed ballots, the
             title shall be followed by the explanation and the explanation shall be
             followed by the recitation.

2009 SD Sess L ch 24, §2.

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