211,518 absentee ballots were cast in South Dakota’s 2020 election cycle. Overall 427,529 ballots were cast in the 2020 election, putting overall state turnout at about 73.88%. The state swung heavily for incumbent Donald Trump, who won its 3 electoral votes with 61.8% of the popular vote. South Dakota has consistently voted for Republican presidential candidates since 1968.
South Dakota has a bicameral legislature with 35 senators and 70 representatives. The legislature is in session annually starting the second Tuesday of January – lasting 40 days in odd-numbered years, and 35 days in even-numbered years, and Republicans have held the majority in both chambers since 1992. South Dakota’s governor, Kristi Noem (R), is eligible for re-election in 2022.