Part Two The South Dakota Constitution and Commentary, Art.IV Executive Department

The executive power of the state is vested in the Governor. The entire Article IV was revised in 1972 and approved by the voters by a nearly two-to-one margin. The 1972 revision reorganized this Article and made numerous changes throughout it. The revision also deleted a number of previous sections, including the former Section 2, relating to improper influence by the governor on legislative actions. The purpose of the 1972 amendments and revisions was to make the executive branch more efficient and responsible (Barnhart v. Herseth, 1974). Although the 1972...