State Will Not Appeal Smoking Ban Ruling

PIERRE, S.D.- Attorney General Marty Jackley and Secretary of State Chris Nelson have announced that the State of South Dakota does not intend to initiate an appeal of the trial court decision regarding the statewide smoke-free referendum petition. Judge Kathleen Trandahl ruled that there were enough petition signatures to refer the smoke-free law to the 2010 ballot and a public vote.

The Court’s decision that the Secretary of State correctly applied a strict compliance standard when reviewing the validity of signatures on petitions was a factor in the state’s decision.

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