South Dakota

On February 12, 2020, the South Dakota Senate voted 32-1 to table legislation to limit public disclosure of presidential election results (SB103).  Rapid City Journal article.  Click here for National Popular Vote's testimony in New Hampshire on January 28, 2020 on similar legislation.

In January 2011, the National Popular Vote bill (SB 138) was introduced by Senators Bob Gray (R), Jason Frerichs (D), Cooper O. Garnos (R), J. Mark Johnston (R), Shantel Krebs (R), Dan Lederman (R), Thomas R. Nelson (R), Eldon E. Nygaard (R), and Craig Tieszen (R) and Representatives Tad Perry (R), Charles B. Hoffman (R), Don Kopp (R), Melissa Magstadt (R), Charles M. Turbiville (R), and Mark K. Willadsen (R).

A survey of 1,045 South Dakota voters conducted on January 28–30, 2011, showed 71% overall support for the idea that the President of the United States should be the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states. Voters were asked: "How do you think we should elect the President: Should it be the candidate who gets the most votes in all 50 states, or the current Electoral College system?" By political affiliation, support for a national popular vote was 61% among Republicans, 82% among Democrats, and 77% among others. By gender, support was 83% among women and 59% among men. By age, support was 73% among 18-29 year olds, 67% among 30-45 year olds, 70% among 46-65 year olds, and 77% for those older than 65. The survey was conducted by Public Policy Polling, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 1/2%.

A survey of 800 South Dakota voters conducted on May 19-20, 2009 showed 75% overall support for the idea that the President of the United States should be the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states. Voters were asked: "How do you think we should elect the President: Should it be the candidate who gets the most votes in all 50 states, or the current Electoral College system?" The results of this first question, by political affiliation, was 84% among Democrats, 67% among Republicans, and 75% among others. By gender, support was 83% among women and 67% among men. By age, support was 73% among 18-29 year olds, 68% among 30-45 year olds, 79% among 46-65 year olds, and 76% for those older than 65.

Then, voters asked a second question in the 2009 poll that emphasized that South Dakota's electoral votes would be awarded to the winner of the national popular vote in all 50 states, not South Dakota, vote. In this second question, 67% of South Dakota voters favored a national popular vote. Voters were asked: "Do you think it more important that a state's electoral votes be cast for the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in that state, or is it more important to guarantee that the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states becomes president?" The results of the second question, by political affiliation, was 78% among Democrats, 58% among Republicans, and 65% among others. By gender, support was 76% among women and 57% among men. By age, support was 57% among 18-29 year olds, 55% among 30-45 year olds, 71% among 46-65 year olds, and 73% for those older than 65.