South Dakota

South Dakota

Welcome to the portal for Ballotpedia's coverage of South Dakota politics! Ballotpedia's encyclopedic coverage of South Dakota politics includes information on the local, state and federal levels, as well as state policies.

South Dakota, nicknamed "The Mount Rushmore State," is bordered by Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming. It was the 40th state admitted to the Union. While Pierre is South Dakota’s capital, Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s largest city.

South Dakota has two members of the U.S. Senate, one member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 members of the State Senate and 70 members of the House of Representatives.

State Leadership

Governor

R

Kristi Noem

Secretary of State

R

Steve Barnett

Speaker of the House

R

Hugh Bartels

Capital:

Pierre

Motto:

Under God, the People Rule

Population:

887,770

Land Area of State:

75,808 square miles

Admitted to U.S.:

1889

Cities and counties in South Dakota

Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population and also covers mayoral, city council, and district attorney elections in every state capital. Additionally, Ballotpedia covers school board elections in the 200 largest U.S. school districts by enrollment.

However, in 2022, Ballotpedia also provided expanded coverage of local elections in South Dakota. Click here to find your county!

South Dakota fact checks

Policy issues in South Dakota

Budget: Budget and finances • Taxes‎
Civil liberties: Affirmative action • Campaign finance • Nonprofit regulation‎
Education: Charter schools • Higher education • Public education • School choice‎
Election: Ballot access requirements • Redistricting • Voting‎
Energy: Energy information • Fracking‎
Environment: Environmental information • Endangered species‎
Finance: Financial regulation information‎
Healthcare: Healthcare information • Medicaid spending • Effect of the Affordable Care Act‎
Immigration: Immigration information‎
Pensions: Public pensions‎