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In a historic move, the state of South Dakota has passed an amendment to its constitution that effectively bans the use of the death penalty. The amendment, known as Amendment 87, was approved by a majority of voters in a referendum held on December 2, 2025.The passage of Amendment 87 marks a significant shift in the state's approach to capital punishment. South Dakota has a long history of utilizing the death penalty, with the last execution taking place in 2019. However, public opinion on the matter has been shifting in recent years, with many residents voicing concerns about the morality and effectiveness of the death penalty.Amendment 87 was championed by a coalition of activists, lawmakers, and religious leaders who argued that the death penalty is a barbaric and outdated practice that has no place in a modern society. They pointed to the high cost of maintaining a death row, the risk of executing innocent people, and the lack of evidence showing that the death penalty serves as an effective deterrent to crime.Opponents of the amendment, including some law enforcement officials and conservative lawmakers, expressed disappointment at the decision. They argued that the death penalty is a necessary tool for combating violent crime and ensuring justice for victims and their families.With the passage of Amendment 87, South Dakota joins a growing number of states that have abolished the death penalty in recent years. The move reflects a broader trend towards criminal justice reform and a reevaluation of the effectiveness of punishment in deterring crime.The implementation of Amendment 87 will have far-reaching implications for the state's legal system. The amendment not only bans the use of the death penalty but also mandates that all current death row inmates have their sentences commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Overall, the passage of Amendment 87 represents a significant victory for proponents of criminal justice reform in South Dakota. It signals a new era in the state's approach to punishment and reflects a growing consensus that the death penalty is a relic of a bygone era.