South Dakota is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary. This decision is made before the election cycle begins.
In a primary election if a candidate running for US Senate, US House, or Governor does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.
If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.
