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South Dakota's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
partially-closed partially-closed partially-closed partially-closed

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: yes

South Dakota is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primary and State primary are scheduled to run on the same days

No person may vote a party ballot at any primary election unless the person is registered as a member of that political party in the precinct in which the person seeks to vote. Any political party in its constitution or bylaws may allow for participation in the party's primary elections by any person who is registered to vote with no party affiliation (NPA).

Delegates and Presidential Primaries​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
19 14 5 2 29 29 26

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic party will send a total of 19 Delegate Votes (14 Pledged, 5 unpledged) and 2 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 9
  • At-large Delegates: 3
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 2
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 5
  • Alternate Delegates: 2

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 0
  • Dem. Gorvernors: 0
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 1

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 29 Delegate Votes (3 district-level, 23 at-large, 3 RNC) and 26 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention.

There is no formal system to relate the presidential preference of the Convention participants to the choice of the delegates to the Republican Convention. Three party leaders, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, and the chairman of the South Dakota's Republican Party, will attend the convention as unpledged delegates by virtue of their position.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 3
  • At-large Delegates: 23
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 26

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: