2020 South Dakota elections

South Dakota state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Its primary elections were held on June 2, 2020 (with runoffs on August 11, 2020).^[1]

2020 South Dakota elections

← 2018 3 November 2020 2022 →

In addition to the U.S. presidential race, South Dakota voters elected the Class II U.S. Senator from South Dakota, one of three seats on the state's Public Utilities Commission, its at-large seat to the House of Representatives, one of five seats on the South Dakota Supreme Court, all of the seats of the South Dakota House of Representatives, and all of the seats in the South Dakota State Senate. Three ballot measures were also voted on.^[1]

Federal offices

President of the United States

Main article: 2020 United States presidential election in South Dakota

See also: 2020 South Dakota Democratic primary

South Dakota has three electoral votes in the Electoral College.

United States Class II Senate Seat

Main article: 2020 United States Senate election in South Dakota

United States House of Representatives

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota

Incumbent Dusty Johnson ran for re-election.

Public Utilities Commission

Incumbent Gary Hanson ran for another term.^[2]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Gary Hanson (R)	Remi Bald Eagle (D)	Devin Saxon (L)	Undecided
Nielson Brothers Polling[3]	October 24–28, 2020	469 (LV)	± 4.52%	50%	30%	10%	10%

Results

2020 South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gary Hanson (incumbent)	272,378	68.01%
	Democratic	Remi W. B. Bald Eagle	107,494	26.84%
	Libertarian	Devin Saxon	20,622	5.15%
Total votes			400,494	100.00%
	Republican hold

Results by county

Hanson:

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%
•   90–100%

Bald Eagle:

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80–90%

Tie:

•   40–50%

State Judiciary

Incumbent Steven Jensen was up for re-election to an eight-year term in the state Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Mike Rounds.^[5]

State legislature

Main articles: 2020 South Dakota Senate election and 2020 South Dakota House of Representatives election

All 70 seats of the South Dakota House of Representatives and all 35 seats of the South Dakota State Senate were up for election. Before the election the composition of the South Dakota State Legislature was:

State senate Party # of seats Republican 30[b] Democratic 5 Total 35

House of Representatives Party # of seats Republican 59 Democratic 11 Total 70

After the election the composition of the South Dakota State Legislature was:

State senate Party # of seats Republican 32 Democratic 3 Total 35

House of Representatives Party # of seats Republican 62 Democratic 8 Total 70

Ballot measures

South Dakota Initiated Measure 26, Medical Marijuana Initiative would mandate a program for access to medicinal cannabis for adults with certain pre-existing conditions.^[6][7]

South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, Marijuana Legalization Initiative would adults at least 21 years old to recreationally consume marijuana by requiring the state legislature to pass laws providing for the sale of hemp in addition to the use of medical marijuana by April 1, 2022.^[6][7]

Polling

A poll by Public Opinion Strategies taken from June 27–30, 2020 and sponsored by the No Way On A Committee (which opposes both measures) showed that support for Amendment A was around 60% and support for Initiated Measure 26 was at 70%.^[6][7][8]

Initiated Measure 26

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	For Initiated Measure 26	Against Initiated Measure 26	Undecided
Nielson Brothers Polling[3]	October 24–28, 2020	462 (LV)	± 4.61%	57%	33%	9%
Mason-Dixon[9]	October 19–21, 2020	625 (LV)	± 4%	74%	23%	3%

Amendment A

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	For Amendment A	Against Amendment A	Undecided
Nielson Brothers Polling[3]	October 24–28, 2020	455 (LV)	± 4.59%	48%	45%	8%
Mason-Dixon[9]	October 19–21, 2020	625 (LV)	± 4%	51%	44%	5%

Results

Constitutional Amendment A

Main article: 2020 South Dakota Amendment A

Legalize Marijuana^[10]

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	225,260	54.18
No	190,477	45.82
Total votes	415,737	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	578,655	71.84

Constitutional Amendment B

Constitutional Amendment B

Deadwood Sports Wagering
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 239,620 58.47% No 170,191 41.53% Valid votes 409,811 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 409,811 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 578,655 70.82%
Yes   50–60%   60–70% No   50–60%   60–70%

Constitutional Amendment B allowed the legislature to legalize sports betting in Deadwood. It passed with 58.5% of the vote.

Deadwood Sports Wagering^[10]

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	239,620	58.47
No	170,191	41.53
Total votes	409,811	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	578,655	70.82

Initiated Measure 26

Main article: 2020 South Dakota Measure 26

Legalize Medical Marijuana^[10]

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	291,754	69.92
No	125,488	30.08
Total votes	417,242	100.00
Registered voters/turnout	578,655	72.11

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. Including one Democrat caucusing with Republicans