South Dakota Turnout Hits Record Low at 49%

Just under half of registered South Dakota voters cast ballots in the 2026 general election, the lowest rate recorded since at least 1964.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

South Dakota Turnout Hits Record Low at 49%

Live Poll

Would you vote in your local elections even without a competitive statewide race?

Just 49 percent of registered South Dakota voters cast ballots in the November 3, 2026 general election, according to the Secretary of State's Office. The figure is the lowest general election participation rate recorded in the state since at least 1964, below the previous low of 52 percent set in 2010.

Why it matters

Low turnout means fewer South Dakota residents shaped the outcomes of state and local races, raising questions about how representative election results are across the state. The drop is tied to a lack of highly competitive statewide races, voter fatigue following the Republican gubernatorial primary and runoff, and confusion over ballot measures.

The Secretary of State's Office reported statewide turnout of 49 percent, below the 52 percent low set in 2010 and the lowest recorded since at least 1964. Oglala Lakota County recorded the state's lowest turnout at 29 percent, while Jones County led at 72 percent, and more than 20 counties fell below 50 percent.

The players

South Dakota Secretary of State's Office

The state agency that oversees elections in South Dakota and reported the statewide turnout figures.

The details

The Secretary of State's Office reported the figures for the November 3, 2026 general election, which drew 49 percent of registered voters statewide. Corson, Ziebach, Dewey, and Todd counties followed Oglala Lakota County in having the lowest turnout, and Pennington and Minnehaha counties were among those below 50 percent.

November 3, 2026: South Dakota holds its general election.
2010: Previous state general election turnout low of 52 percent is set.
1964: Earliest year of records used for the lowest-turnout comparison.

Season Trajectory

The 49 percent turnout falls below the 52 percent low South Dakota recorded in 2010, extending a downward run in the state's general election participation going back to 1964. The result places the 2026 election as the lowest turnout in the state's modern voting record.

Low turnout means decisions on statewide and local races were made by a smaller share of registered voters than in past cycles. Residents who want their views reflected in future elections can check their registration and voting options with the Secretary of State's Office before the next election.

The takeaway

Turnout is a measure of who decides an election, and South Dakota's 49 percent figure shows that fewer than half of registered voters shaped the 2026 general election. Staying informed on how ballot questions and races are presented can help voters participate.