2020 South Dakota elections explained

Country:South Dakota
Election Date:3 November 2020
Previous Year:2018
Previous Election:2018 South Dakota elections
Next Year:2022
Next Election:2022 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]

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

See 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

See main article: 2020 United States Senate election in South Dakota.

United States House of Representatives

See 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]

Results

State udiciary

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.[3]

State legislature

See main article: 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
  1. of seats
Republican30
Democratic5
Total35

House of Representatives

Party
  1. of seats
Republican59
Democratic11
Total70
After the election the composition of the South Dakota State Legislature was:

State senate

Party
  1. of seats
Republican32
Democratic3
Total35

House of Representatives

Party
  1. of seats
Republican62
Democratic8
Total70

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.[4] [5]

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.[4] [5]

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%.[4] [5] [6]

Initiated Measure 26
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
For Initiated Measure 26Against Initiated Measure 26Undecided
Nielson Brothers PollingOctober 24–28, 2020462 (LV)± 4.61%57%33%9%
Mason-DixonOctober 19–21, 2020625 (LV)± 4%74%23%3%
Amendment A
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
For Amendment AAgainst Amendment AUndecided
Nielson Brothers PollingOctober 24–28, 2020455 (LV)± 4.59%48%45%8%
Mason-DixonOctober 19–21, 2020625 (LV)± 4%51%44%5%

Results

Constitutional Amendment A

See main article: 2020 South Dakota Amendment A.

Initiated Measure 26

See main article: 2020 South Dakota Measure 26.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South Dakota elections, 2020. Ballotpedia . October 2, 2020 .
  2. Web site: WNAX . October 2, 2020 . Gary Hanson Running for Re-election to the SD Public Utilities Commission.
  3. Web site: South Dakota . October 2, 2020 . Judge Voter Guide.
  4. Web site: Poll: Most South Dakota voters support legalizing marijuana . October 2, 2020 . Argus Leader . September 18, 2020 . Joe . Sneve.
  5. Web site: South Dakota: Opposition Group's Polling Shows Voter Support for Marijuana Legalization Initiatives . October 2, 2020 . September 21, 2020 . Paul . Armentano.
  6. Web site: Cannabis Opponents' Poll Backfires, Shows Legalization Winning By Large Margin . October 2, 2020 . September 22, 2020 . Johnny . Green . ICBC.