Attorney General
November 3, 2026 · South Dakota · Statewide · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: High · 89 out of 100
Smaller districts give each vote more weight, and this district is small for its type. About 907,428 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(39,287,377 ÷ 907,428) ÷ ln(39,287,377 ÷ 582,397) = 89.47, comparing all statewide districts nationwide (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
High representation + an uncontested race → Below average vote impact.
Attorney General is responsible for:
- Acting as the state's top lawyer and representing the state in court
- Enforcing state laws, including consumer protection and fraud cases
- Issuing legal opinions that guide state agencies
- Suing on the state's behalf, or defending the state when it is sued
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Anti-Corruption, Healthcare Affordability, Immigration, Public Safety and Crime Control, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability
Candidates
Lance Russell
REP · declared
Lance Russell is a Republican attorney and former South Dakota legislator who served in the South Dakota House and Senate for District 30 and is listed by the South Dakota Secretary of State as an active 2026 general-election candidate for Attorney General.
Records: Civil Rights 1 against, Election Integrity 1 against
Election sources
Source: vip.sdsos.gov
Source: sdsos.gov