South Dakota Judge Dismisses Anti-Abortion Group’s Lawsuit Over Ballot Measure

A lawsuit filed by the anti-abortion group Life Defense Fund against Dakotans for Health, the organization responsible for a recently rejected abortion rights referendum measure, has been dismissed by a South Dakota judge.

In an order issued on Friday, Circuit Court Judge John Pekas ruled to dismiss the case, which contested the validity of the signatures collected to place the measure on the ballot. The lawsuit also sought to prohibit Dakotans for Health and its employees from participating in future ballot-measure activities for four years, and it also accused petition circulators of fraud and wrongdoing.

The decision was discussed by Leslee Unruh, co-chair of the Life Defense Fund, who stated, "The people have decided, and South Dakotans overwhelmingly rejected this constitutional abortion measure." "We have prevailed in the court of public opinion."

Rick Weiland, the co-founder of Dakotans for Health, did not respond to the dismissal with astonishment. Weiland stated that the accusations made by the Life Defense Fund were part of a more extensive, unsuccessful attempt to intimidate South Dakota voters.

The lawsuit's dismissal adds another layer to the ongoing debate over direct democracy in South Dakota, with both parties viewing this as part of a more significant ideological battle. The procedural victory for advocates of the ballot initiative process is currently underscored by the judge's decision.

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