The South Dakota State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment that would raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments from a simple majority (50%+1) to a 60% supermajority. The measure passed the legislature with near-unanimous Republican support (89 of 91 Republicans voted for it) while most Democrats opposed it.
This measure is part of a national trend of Republican-controlled legislatures seeking to make it harder to pass citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, often in response to progressive ballot measures on abortion, marijuana, and minimum wage.
A higher threshold for constitutional changes provides stability and prevents slim majorities from making permanent constitutional alterations. However, it also makes it harder for citizens to amend their own constitution on any issue.
"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."
— Proverbs 22:28 (KJV)