I did not know anything about the legislature before this section. I now know that state governments, like the federal government, are divided into three distinct branches. The legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch carries out the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws. This guide's focus is the legislative branch and the process by which laws are made in South Dakota.
The South Dakota Legislature is bicameral, or composed of two bodies. The other states also have bicameral legislatures with one exception. The Nebraska Legislature is unicameral, or composed of only one body.
In South Dakota, the two bodies are the Senate and the House of Representatives. The state constitution provides that the Senate shall consist of not fewer than 25 nor more than 35 members and that the House shall consist of not fewer than 50 or more than 75 members. Currently, the Senate has 35 members and there are 70 members of the House of Representatives.
The state comprises 35 legislative districts. (See following map.) Voters in each district elect one senator and two representatives. Every ten years, in accordance with the state constitution, the Legislature must redraw the boundaries of the legislative districts to reflect shifts in the state's population. This reapportionment process keeps the districts as equally populated as possible. That way, every state citizen receives equal representation.
