PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) South Dakotans by a wide margin support a constitutional amendment that would change the way the state conducts primary elections, according to a scientific poll of 500 registered voters co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch.
Majority in favor: The poll showed that 55% of respondents favored the plan to change the state’s election format, with 33% opposed and 12% undecided. That’s a jump in support from a similarly structured November 2023 survey, which showed 49% supporting the measure, 34% opposed and 17% undecided.
Changing the format: If passed, Amendment H would establish “top-two” primaries for governor, Congress and state legislative and county races rather than political parties conducting separate primary contests. All registered voters would be eligible to weigh in on which two candidates advance to the general election.
Low turnout an issue: The issue has gained prominence in the wake of historically low voter turnout (17%) in South Dakota’s June 4 primary elections, which featured 44 Republican legislative primaries in addition to county contests but a lack of statewide engagement. There was one Democratic legislative primary in the state.
Access the media folde