South Dakota Senate Election: Voter Turnout Thresholds

South Dakota's Constitutional Amendment I, on the November ballot, would repeal the state's Medicaid expansion if federal funding drops below the current 90-percent matching threshold. Voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022 with 56 percent support, and lawmakers placed Amendment I before voters during this year's legislative session.

Supporters, including Republican State Senator Casey Crabtree, argue the state cannot absorb costs if Washington reduces its share, though he notes expansion could continue under state statute if lawmakers find funding. Opponents, including medical professionals and advocacy groups like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, warn as many as 30,000 South Dakotans could lose coverage, calling the program critical in rural areas. Both sides acknowledge that any federal rollback of Medicaid's funding formula would face a difficult path through Congress, given that 40 states now rely on expansion dollars. Separately, other states are already seeing coverage losses tied to federal policy changes: Washington state expects about 14,000 residents, mostly lawfully present immigrants without green cards, to lose Medicaid eligibility starting October 1 under the new federal law known as HR1. The South Dakota vote will test public appetite for conditional entitlement guarantees tied to federal funding levels.

South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson, a Republican, has endorsed Democratic candidate Terrence Davis to succeed her, breaking with her party after losing the GOP nomination to Heather Baxter at the state convention in June. In a column for South Dakota War College, Johnson cited Davis's law enforcement background, criminal justice degree and public policy graduate work, saying he prioritizes transparency, voting rights and functional government systems. She urged voters to look past party labels, arguing Davis is best prepared for the role.

Baxter pushed back, defending party loyalty and standards including paper balloting, photo ID requirements and opposition to same-day voter registration, calling the office too important for a "consolation prize." Davis has said restoring public trust in elections is his central focus. Democrats have not won statewide office in South Dakota since 2015, and the state has voted heavily for Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections, making the race a notable test of party lines in a deep-red state.

South Dakota's general election is set for Tuesday, November 3, with absentee voting underway since September 18 and the voter registration deadline passed on October 19. Voters will decide four constitutional amendments alongside statewide and county races. Amendment I would repeal expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding falls below 90%, narrowing eligibility to low-income children, pregnant women, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Amendment J would clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote in state elections. Amendment K would let unclaimed intangible property returned to the state earn interest, with proceeds benefiting the state. Amendment L would raise the threshold for passing future constitutional amendments to 60% of votes cast.

Statewide races include governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, treasurer, and public utilities commissioner, plus local contests in Minnehaha County. The amendments carry implications for health policy, election administration, and state fiscal rules that extend beyond South Dakota.

Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden and Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers met for their first debate as party nominees, held at the South Dakota State Fair and hosted by the South Dakota Farmers Union. Both criticized President Trump's move to import more foreign beef, a step Trump said would lower consumer prices and let ranchers rebuild herds after historic lows, but which drew swift backlash from cattle producers. Rhoden called the decision "wrongheaded" despite Trump's endorsement of his campaign, and said he would push USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to form an advisory committee to better inform the president. Ahlers said South Dakota must more aggressively advocate for farmers and ranchers.

The candidates split on other issues: economic development spending priorities, whether to restore a standalone Department of Agriculture separate from natural resources, and a November ballot measure that would let the state drop Medicaid expansion if federal funding falls below 90%. Ahlers warned rollback could hurt rural hospitals; Rhoden cited concerns over federal debt and funding reliability. Voters decide the governor's race and ballot measures Nov. 3.