Filed Date: June 28, 2022
Closed Date: Jan. 27, 2023
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case is about the League of Women Voters of South Dakota and the League of Women Voters of the United States (collectively, the “League”) and two private plaintiffs asserting that South Dakota Senate Bill 180 (“SB180”) would limit petition circulators who contact voters of proposed ballots measures to residents of South Dakota who have lived in the state for more than 30 days, severely restricting voters’ access to ballot measures and voter-engagement organizations’ ability to engage in political activity. The plaintiffs allege that SB180 violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as enforced by 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 and rights guaranteed by Article VI Sections 18 and 19 of the South Dakota Constitution.
On June 28, 2022, the plaintiffs commenced this action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of South Dakota. The plaintiffs requested that the Court enter a declaratory judgment that the residency requirement of SB180 on its face and as applied violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, violates Article VI Sections 18 and 19 of the South Dakota Constitution, enjoin the defendants from enforcing the residency requirement of SB180, and award the plaintiffs the cost of this action together with their reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.
On July 15, 2022, the plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint.
On September 8, 2022, the plaintiffs filed a motion to strike in their entirety the affirmative defenses asserted by the defendants and moved for judgment on the pleadings as to the affirmative defenses.
On December 12, 2022, the Court issued an opinion and order that granted in part and denied in part the plaintiffs’ motion to strike defendants’ affirmative defenses.
On January 26, 2023, the plaintiffs and defendants jointly filed a stipulation to dismiss. The reasons for the dismissal are not clear to the Clearinghouse at this time. The following day, the Court issued a judgment of dismissal that the case was dismissed on its merits, with prejudice.
Seemingly, this case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Leilani Argersinger (3/13/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63555788/parties/league-of-women-voters-of-south-dakota-v-noem/
Alexander, Azar A. (South Dakota)
Bagchi, Amartya (South Dakota)
Dockterman, Michael (South Dakota)
Heidepriem, Scott N. (South Dakota)
Bouwman, Jacquelyn A. (South Dakota)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63555788/league-of-women-voters-of-south-dakota-v-noem/
Last updated Oct. 31, 2025, 3:22 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 28, 2022
Closing Date: Jan. 27, 2023
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
League of Women Voters of South Dakota ("LWVSD") and League of Women Voters of the United States ("LWVUS" and together with LWVSD, the "League") are grassroots, nonpartisan, community-based political organizations dedicated to encouraging informed and active participation in government and the political process through advocacy and education. Susan Randall is a former South Dakota resident and a member of the League. Kathryn "Katie" Fahey is Executive Director of The People and a member of the League.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Kristi L. Noem (Governor of South Dakota), State
John Doe (Attorney General of South Dakota), State
Steve Barnett (Secretary of State of South Dakota), State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of South Dakota 4:22-cv-04085
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
Voting: