South Dakota Governor Election 2026: Live Results
The South Dakota Governor Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. Dan Ahlers (Democrat) faces Republican Larry Rhoden (incumbent). The seat is currently held by Republicans. VoteTide rates the race Safe R. Prediction markets give Larry Rhoden a 98% chance of winning. The last polls in South Dakota close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:30:26 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- Dan Ahlers (Democrat)
- Larry Rhoden (Republican, incumbent)
Odds
- Kalshi: Democrat 2%, Republican 98%
- Polymarket: Democrat 2%, Republican 98%
Rating: Safe R
What's at stake
For the country
- Governors don't vote in Congress, but they run elections, carry out federal programs like Medicaid, and often lead their party nationally.
- A Democratic win would be a flip from Republican control.
For South Dakota
- The governor signs or vetoes state laws, writes the state budget, runs state agencies, appoints officials and judges in many states, and in many states shapes how district maps are drawn.
- For South Dakota, the result decides whether the governor's party matches the legislature's, which shapes what can pass in the next four years.
- Larry Rhoden is the incumbent. Incumbents bring seniority, name recognition and committee roles; challengers argue for a fresh start.
Dan Ahlers
- Supporters say a Democratic governor would invest in public schools and expand health coverage.
- They argue for protecting abortion access at the state level and raising wages.
Larry Rhoden
- Supporters say a Republican governor would cut state income taxes and limit state spending.
- They argue for school choice, public-safety funding and fewer business regulations.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the South Dakota Governor Election 2026?
Dan Ahlers (D), Larry Rhoden (R, incumbent).
Who is favored to win the South Dakota governor race?
Prediction markets give Larry Rhoden a 98% chance. VoteTide's rating is Safe R.
When do polls close in South Dakota?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in South Dakota close at 9 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these South Dakota results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
South Dakota at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Trump +29.2
- Electoral votes: 3
- U.S. House seats: 1