2020 South Dakota elections

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2020 South Dakota elections
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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]

Contents

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

South Dakota has three electoral votes in the Electoral College.

United States Class II Senate Seat

United States House of Representatives

Incumbent Dusty Johnson ran for re-election.

Public Utilities Commission

Incumbent Gary Hanson ran for another term. [2]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(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, 2020469 (LV)± 4.52%50%30%10%10%

Results

2020 South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner election [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gary Hanson (incumbent) 272,378 68.01%
Democratic Remi W. B. Bald Eagle107,49426.84%
Libertarian Devin Saxon20,6225.15%
Total votes400,494 100.00%
Republican hold

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

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:

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

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 sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		For Initiated Measure 26Against Initiated Measure 26Undecided
Nielson Brothers Polling [3] October 24–28, 2020462 (LV)± 4.61%57%33%9%
Mason-Dixon [9] October 19–21, 2020625 (LV)± 4%74%23%3%

Amendment A

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		For Amendment AAgainst Amendment AUndecided
Nielson Brothers Polling [3] October 24–28, 2020455 (LV)± 4.59%48%45%8%
Mason-Dixon [9] October 19–21, 2020625 (LV)± 4%51%44%5%

Results

Constitutional Amendment A

Legalize Marijuana [10]
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes225,26054.18
No190,47745.82
Total votes415,737100.00
Registered voters/turnout578,65571.84

Constitutional Amendment B

Constitutional Amendment B
Flag of South Dakota.svg
Deadwood Sports Wagering
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes239,62058.47%
Light brown x.svgNo170,19141.53%
Valid votes409,811100.00%
Invalid or blank votes00.00%
Total votes409,811100.00%
Registered voters/turnout578,65570.82%
2020 South Dakota Constitutional Amendment B.svg

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

Deadwood Sports Wagering [10]
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes239,62058.47
No170,19141.53
Total votes409,811100.00
Registered voters/turnout578,65570.82

Initiated Measure 26

Legalize Medical Marijuana [10]
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes291,75469.92
No125,48830.08
Total votes417,242100.00
Registered voters/turnout578,65572.11

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ Including one Democrat caucusing with Republicans

References

    1. 1 2 "South Dakota elections, 2020". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
    2. ↑ "Gary Hanson Running for Re-election to the SD Public Utilities Commission". WNAX. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
    3. 1 2 3 Nielson Brothers Polling
    4. ↑ Secretary of State of South Dakota (December 8, 2020). "Statewide Races". electionresults.sd.gov.
    5. ↑ "South Dakota". Judge Voter Guide. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
    6. 1 2 3 Sneve, Joe (September 18, 2020). "Poll: Most South Dakota voters support legalizing marijuana". Argus Leader. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
    7. 1 2 3 Armentano, Paul (September 21, 2020). "South Dakota: Opposition Group's Polling Shows Voter Support for Marijuana Legalization Initiatives" . Retrieved October 2, 2020.
    8. ↑ Green, Johnny (September 22, 2020). "Cannabis Opponents' Poll Backfires, Shows Legalization Winning By Large Margin". ICBC. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
    9. 1 2 Mason-Dixon
    10. 1 2 3 Secretary of State of South Dakota (December 8, 2020). "Statewide Ballot Questions". electionresults.sd.gov.
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