Question 1

Who should I vote for in South Dakota in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Vote for the candidate with the strongest record. This page scores 9 South Dakota races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and statewide office on the Ballot Standard, 15 qualities of character, qualifications and performance from public records and established reporting, and names the candidate who scores highest in each. Evidence checked October 9, 2026.

Question 2

Who should I vote for in South Dakota Senate?

Accepted Answer

Mike Rounds has the strongest record in the South Dakota U.S. Senate race. Mike Rounds scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Brian Bengs at 53, as of October 6, 2026. Mike Rounds's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Brian Bengs's highest marks are communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 3

Who should I vote for in South Dakota Governor?

Accepted Answer

Larry Rhoden has the strongest record in the South Dakota governor's race. Larry Rhoden scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Ahlers at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Larry Rhoden's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Dan Ahlers's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 4

Who should I vote for in South Dakota Attorney General?

Accepted Answer

Lance Russell has the strongest record in the South Dakota attorney general race. Lance Russell scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Lance Russell's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 5

Who should I vote for in South Dakota Secretary of State?

Accepted Answer

Heather Baxter has the strongest record in the South Dakota secretary of state race. Heather Baxter scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 6, 2026. Heather Baxter's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Terrence Davis (7 of 15 criteria) and Tamara Lesnar (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 6

Who should I vote for in South Dakota State Auditor?

Accepted Answer

No candidate in the South Dakota state auditor race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 6, 2026. Catherine Barranco (4 of 15 criteria) and Tom Cool (4 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 7

Who should I vote for in South Dakota State Treasurer?

Accepted Answer

No candidate in the South Dakota state treasurer race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 6, 2026. Melissa Hull (4 of 15 criteria) and Margaret Kuipers (2 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 8

Who should I vote for in South Dakota Commissioner of School and Public Lands?

Accepted Answer

No candidate in the South Dakota commissioner of school and public lands race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 6, 2026. Brock Greenfield (4 of 15 criteria) and Raeann Mettler (1 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 9

Who should I vote for in South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner?

Accepted Answer

No candidate in the South Dakota public utilities commissioner race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 6, 2026. Don Haggar (6 of 15 criteria) and Frank Kloucek (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 10

Who should I vote for in SD-AL?

Accepted Answer

Nikki Gronli has the strongest record in South Dakota's At-Large Congressional District. Nikki Gronli scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Marty Jackley at 55, as of October 6, 2026. Nikki Gronli's highest marks are accountability and relevant experience. Marty Jackley's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Who should I vote for in South Dakota?

U.S. Senate, South Dakota

Governor of South Dakota

Attorney General of South Dakota

Secretary of State of South Dakota

State Auditor of South Dakota

State Treasurer of South Dakota

Commissioner of School and Public Lands of South Dakota

Public Utilities Commissioner of South Dakota

U.S. House, South Dakota At-Large Congressional District