Section 16-1-2 - Number of justices--Term of office--Retention elections. - South Dakota Statutes

16-1-2. Number of justices--Term of office--Retention elections. The Supreme Court shall consist of five justices.
The term of office of the justices of the Supreme Court shall be eight years. At the next general election following the expiration of three years from the date of his appointment, and every eighth year thereafter, each Supreme Court justice shall be subject to approval or rejection by the electorate in a statewide retention election.
Supreme Court justices in office on November 4, 1980, who were elected from each of the fourth and fifth districts shall be subject to a first retention election in 1984; and Supreme Court justices in office on November 4, 1980, who were elected from the first, second, and third districts shall be subject to a first retention election in 1986.

Source: SD Const, art 5, §§ 5, 6, 8; SL 1909, ch 109, §§ 6, 7; RC 1919, §§ 5126, 5128; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 32.0102; SL 1974, ch 154, § 2; SL 1981, ch 164, § 2; SL 1982, ch 169.