| 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]
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.
See main article: 2020 United States Senate election in South Dakota.
See main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives election in South Dakota.
Incumbent Dusty Johnson ran for re-election.
Incumbent Gary Hanson ran for another term.[2]
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]
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:
| Party |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | 30 | |
| Democratic | 5 | |
| Total | 35 | |
| Party |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | 59 | |
| Democratic | 11 | |
| Total | 70 | |
| Party |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | 32 | |
| Democratic | 3 | |
| Total | 35 | |
| Party |
| |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | 62 | |
| Democratic | 8 | |
| Total | 70 | |
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]
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]
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | For Initiated Measure 26 | Against Initiated Measure 26 | Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nielson Brothers Polling | October 24–28, 2020 | 462 (LV) | ± 4.61% | 57% | 33% | 9% | |
| Mason-Dixon | October 19–21, 2020 | 625 (LV) | ± 4% | 74% | 23% | 3% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | For Amendment A | Against Amendment A | Undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nielson Brothers Polling | October 24–28, 2020 | 455 (LV) | ± 4.59% | 48% | 45% | 8% | |
| Mason-Dixon | October 19–21, 2020 | 625 (LV) | ± 4% | 51% | 44% | 5% |
See main article: 2020 South Dakota Amendment A.
See main article: 2020 South Dakota Measure 26.