Voter turnout was record low

“This year’s general election saw the lowest voter turnout in the state in more than 50 years,” wrote Molly Wetsch with South Dakota News Watch in her article “General election: SD voter turnout hits historic low, sales tax increases fail.”
In the 2022 midterm election, nearly 60 percent of registered voters headed to the polls, according to Wetsch. 
However, election results published on the Secretary of State’s website show only 49.37 percent of voters turned out statewide for the Nov. 3 general election. Out of 628,563 registered voters, 310,298 ballots were cast. In Custer County, 57.26 percent of registered voters cast a total of 4,715 ballots. 
Incumbent and Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds defeated his Independent opponent Brian L. Bengs 61 percent to 39 percent and will serve a six-year term. Republican Marty Jackley will be the next U.S. Representative for a two-year term, defeating Democrat Nicole “Nikki” Gronli 64 percent to 36 percent. 
Republicans Gov. Larry Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen will continue in office for a four-year term, having defeated Democrat candidates Dan Ahlers and Steven McCleerey 63 percent to 37 percent.  
In the Secretary of State race, Republican Heather Baxter took the lead with 58 percent of the votes and will serve a four-year term. Democrat Terrence Davis followed with 36 percent, and Libertarian candidate Tamara J. Lesnar received six percent of the votes. 
Republican Lance Russell ran unopposed for Attorney General and will serve a four-year term. 
For the State Auditor four-year term, Republican Catherine Barranco won with 63 percent of the vote. Democrat candidate Tom Cool received 37 percent of the vote. 
State Treasurer is a four-year term, which will be served by Republican Melissa Hull, having received 62 percent of the vote. Democrat candidate Margaret Kuipers received 38 percent of the vote. 
The four-year term for Commissioner of School and Public Lands went to Republican Brock Greenfield with 62 percent of the vote. Democrat candidate Raeann Mettler received 38 percent of the vote. 
For the four-year term of Public Utilities Commissioner, Republican Don Haggar was voted in by 60 percent. Democrat candidate Frank Kloucek received 40 percent of the vote. 
For District 30, incumbent Republican Amber Hulse ran unopposed for a two-year term as State Senator. Republicans Trish Ladner and Tim Goodwin were also re-elected for two-year terms as State Representatives. Ladner received 41 percent of the votes, Goodwin received 40 and Democrat Bret Swanson received 19 percent. 
For the Custer County Conservation District Supervisor, the ballot actually was in error. The race had two open seats, and thus both Tamarah Caster and Greg Neugebauer will serve four-year terms. 
Statewide, Constitutional Amendment I, an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution that repeals expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding for the program drops below 90 percent, was voted down 56 percent to 44 percent. Custer County residents actually voted 52 percent in favor of the amendment and 48 percent not in favor. 
Constitutional Amendment J, an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution clarifying that an individual must be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to vote, was approved by voters statewide, passing 62 percent to 38 percent. 
Constitutional Amendment K, an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution establishing the trust fund for unclaimed property fund, was approved by voters 61 percent to 39 percent. 
Finally, Constitutional Amendment L, an amendment to the South Dakota Constitution requiring that a proposed constitutional amendment or revision receive an affirmative vote of 60 percent of the votes cast, was voted down 58 percent to 42 percent. According to Wetsch, this is the third time an effort to raise the threshold for amending the constitution has failed. 
These results are unofficial until the 66 County Canvass Boards and the State Canvass Board canvass and certify the election results.