A Tradition of Showing Up
In the landscape of American elections, South Dakota has long been a quiet overachiever. While national voter turnout often struggles to surpass 60% even in high-stakes presidential years, South Dakota consistently punches above its weight. An analysis of federal elections from 1990 through 2024 shows a state with a deeply ingrained culture of voting. From 2002 to 2024, the state's average turnout was 59.2%, comfortably ahead of the national average of 52.4% for the same period. This trend isn't a recent phenomenon; it’s a foundational element of the state’s political identity. The numbers show a predictable rhythm: a significant surge in participation every four years for presidential contests, followed by a predictable drop-off in the midterms.
Yet even in its 'off' years, South Dakota's participation often rivals what other states see in their biggest electoral moments.
Presidential Peaks and a Historic Senate Race
Presidential elections invariably bring out the most voters, and the data paints a clear picture of these quadrennial surges. The period's high-water mark came in 2004, when an incredible 69.4% of eligible voters cast a ballot. That year wasn't just about the presidential race between George W. Bush and John Kerry. The state was captivated by one of the most intense and closely watched Senate races in the country, where Republican John Thune successfully unseated incumbent Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. The national spotlight and massive campaign spending fueled an environment where every vote felt critical, driving turnout to historic levels. Other presidential years also saw strong participation, with 2008 hitting 65.6% and 2020 reaching 66.4%. The most recent presidential election in 2024 saw a slight dip but remained robust at 64.5%.
The Midterm Ebb and Flow
Following the classic American pattern, midterm elections in South Dakota see a consistent decline in voter participation compared to presidential years. However, 'decline' is a relative term. In the 2022 midterms, South Dakota's turnout was 53.2%, which might seem modest until compared to the national average of just 46.2%. This shows that even when a president isn't on the ballot, South Dakotans remain more engaged than the typical American voter. The lowest point in the modern era was the 2014 midterm, which saw only 44.7% of eligible voters participate. This lull was followed by a rebound in the highly energized 2018 midterms, where turnout jumped back up to 53.1%, mirroring the national surge in engagement seen that year. These cycles demonstrate that while local voters are influenced by national trends, their baseline for engagement starts from a higher point.
What the Last Decade Tells Us
The period from 2014 to 2024 reflects a state navigating the currents of national political polarization while maintaining its unique electoral character. The 2016 election, which brought Donald Trump to power, saw a 60% turnout rate in the state. Four years later, in the highly contentious 2020 election, that figure jumped to 66.4% as both sides of the political spectrum were intensely motivated. By 2024, turnout settled at 64.5%, a figure slightly below the 2020 peak but still significantly higher than the 2016 or 2012 contests. This suggests that the heightened political environment of recent years has solidified a new, higher baseline of participation. While the state remains reliably Republican in presidential contests, the consistent and high turnout across the board indicates a citizenry that, regardless of party, takes its civic duty seriously.
