WASHINGTON — South Dakota is gearing up for a significant general election on November 5, with several key races on the ballot, including the presidential election and a state constitutional amendment that seeks to overturn an existing law that bans abortion. Voters will also decide contests for the U.S. House, the state Legislature, and various other statewide ballot measures.

In the presidential race, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump are vying for the state’s three electoral votes. Additionally, two independent candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy, who exited the race in August and endorsed Trump, will appear on the ballot.

South Dakota is among ten states that will present abortion-related ballot measures for voter consideration. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, South Dakota is one of 14 states that has implemented a complete ban on abortions at all stages of pregnancy.

The proposed ballot measure would eliminate restrictions on abortions during the first trimester, allow certain regulations in the second trimester, and enable bans during the third trimester, except when critical for the life or health of the pregnant individual. A pending lawsuit from an anti-abortion organization challenging this measure will not reach a decision until after the election occurs.

Historically, South Dakota leans strongly Republican in presidential elections. The only Democratic candidate to capture the state in the past 84 years was President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. In the 2020 election, Trump received 62% of the vote, while President Joe Biden garnered only 36%.

In the state’s single U.S. House district, incumbent Republican Dusty Johnson is running for re-election against Democrat Sheryl Johnson for a fourth term. In 2022, Johnson faced only a Libertarian opponent and achieved 77% of the vote.

Additionally, Republican Governor Kristi Noem, a strong ally of Trump, and the state’s two GOP U.S. Senators are not on the ballot for the 2024 elections.

As for the election process, the counting of votes will not begin until the polls close. The first results are expected to be reported on the night of November 5, with key updates continuing as necessary.

Here is a summary of what to expect in the upcoming South Dakota election:

**Election Day**
November 5.

**Poll Closing Times**
8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. South Dakota occupies two time zones but results will be held until the final polls close at 7 p.m. MT (9 p.m. ET).

**Presidential Electoral Votes**
3 awarded to the statewide winner.

**Primary Candidates**
President: Kamala Harris (D) vs. Donald Trump (R) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Robert Kennedy (Independent).

**Ballot Measures**
Amendment G (abortion rights), Amendment H (top-two primary system), Measure 29 (legalization of marijuana).

**Other Notable Races**
U.S. House, other ballot initiatives, state Senate and House, as well as the public utilities commission.

**Historical Presidential Results**
2020: Trump (R) 62%, Biden (D) 36%. Results announced on November 3, 2020, at 9 p.m. ET.

**Voter Registration and Turnout**
As of October 1, 2024, there are 680,775 registered voters, with approximately 21% identifying as Democrats, 46% as Republicans, 13% as independents, and 10% having no party affiliation. Voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election was 67% of registered voters.

**Pre-Election Day Voting**
In the 2020 election, around 52% of the total votes were cast before Election Day. In 2022, that figure dropped to approximately 29%. Current voting statistics for 2024 are still being tracked.

**Vote Counting Duration**
The first votes were reported on November 3, 2020, at 9 p.m. ET, with around 66% of votes accounted for by midnight ET on that same day.