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State profile

South Dakota elections & voting

Electoral votes, voting rules, and presidential results for South Dakota.

How South Dakota votes

In 2024, South Dakota voted Republican. It has backed the Republican Party in its last 7 consecutive elections.

3
electoral votes
Voter IDNo-excuse absenteeEarly votingSame-day registrationAutomatic registration

Voting rules

Photo ID Requested
Active

Photo ID requested with alternatives

Voter ID
Effective: 2003
No-Excuse Absentee
Active

Any voter can request mail ballot

Mail-In Voting
Effective: 2020
46 Days Early Voting
Active

Early voting available 46 days before election

Early Voting
Effective: 1992

Election history

How South Dakota has voted in presidential elections.

  • 2024RepublicanDonald Trump3 EV
  • 2020RepublicanDonald Trump3 EV
  • 2016RepublicanDonald Trump3 EV
  • 2012RepublicanMitt Romney3 EV
  • 2008RepublicanJohn McCain3 EV
  • 1920RepublicanWarren G. Harding5 EV
  • 1916RepublicanCharles Evans Hughes5 EV
  • 1912ProgressiveTheodore Roosevelt5 EV
  • 1908RepublicanWilliam Howard Taft4 EV
  • 1904RepublicanTheodore Roosevelt4 EV
  • 1900RepublicanWilliam McKinley4 EV
  • 1896DemocraticWilliam Jennings Bryan4 EV
  • 1892RepublicanBenjamin Harrison4 EV

Timeline

2020s

2024
Election
Republican
major

2024 Presidential Election

Donald Trump won SD with 3 electoral votes

2020
Rule Change
Mail Voting
major

No-Excuse Absentee

Any voter can request mail ballot

2020
Election
Republican
major

2020 Presidential Election

Donald Trump won SD with 3 electoral votes

2010s

2016
Election
Republican
major

2016 Presidential Election

Donald Trump won SD with 3 electoral votes

2012
Election
Republican
major

2012 Presidential Election

Mitt Romney won SD with 3 electoral votes

2000s

2008
Election
Republican
major

2008 Presidential Election

John McCain won SD with 3 electoral votes

2003
Rule Change
Voter ID
major

Photo ID Requested

Photo ID requested with alternatives

1990s

1992
Rule Change
Early Voting
moderate

46 Days Early Voting

Early voting available 46 days before election

1920s

1920
Election
Republican
major

1920 Presidential Election

Warren G. Harding won SD with 5 electoral votes

1910s

1916
Election
Republican
major

1916 Presidential Election

Charles Evans Hughes won SD with 5 electoral votes

1912
Election
Progressive
major

1912 Presidential Election

Theodore Roosevelt won SD with 5 electoral votes

1900s

1908
Election
Republican
major

1908 Presidential Election

William Howard Taft won SD with 4 electoral votes

1904
Election
Republican
major

1904 Presidential Election

Theodore Roosevelt won SD with 4 electoral votes

1900
Election
Republican
major

1900 Presidential Election

William McKinley won SD with 4 electoral votes

1890s

1896
Election
Democratic
major

1896 Presidential Election

William Jennings Bryan won SD with 4 electoral votes

1892
Election
Republican
major

1892 Presidential Election

Benjamin Harrison won SD with 4 electoral votes

This site explains the structure and history of U.S. federal elections and is not an official government resource. All data shown is for educational purposes only.