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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]

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

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President of the United States

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South Dakota has three electoral votes in the Electoral College.

United States Class II Senate Seat

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United States House of Representatives

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Incumbent Dusty Johnson ran for re-election.

Public Utilities Commission

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Incumbent Gary Hanson ran for another term.[2]

Polling

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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

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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

State Judiciary

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Constitutional Amendment A

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Legalize Marijuana[10]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed 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

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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%

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 %
Referendum passed 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

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Legalize Medical Marijuana[10]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 291,754 69.92
No 125,488 30.08
Total votes 417,242 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 578,655 72.11

Notes

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

References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c Sneve, Joe (September 18, 2020). "Poll: Most South Dakota voters support legalizing marijuana". Argus Leader. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b Mason-Dixon
  10. ^ a b c Secretary of State of South Dakota (December 8, 2020). "Statewide Ballot Questions". electionresults.sd.gov.
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