Governor and Lieutenant Governor
My vote power
Average
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor general election in South Dakota is on November 3, 2026. 2 candidates are running: Dan Ahlers (Democratic) and Larry Rhoden (Republican). Larry Rhoden is the incumbent. One vote here carries average weight compared with other races.
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. Decisiveness: how likely this race is to be close, based on past results or current analyst ratings, plus whether more candidates are running than there are seats.
Representation: Average · 50 out of 100
This district covers a large share of its state, so each vote carries about average weight — like a vote in a statewide race. About 907,428 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(907,428 ÷ 907,428) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50, measured against a statewide vote in SD (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No analyst ratings or past results for this contest yet.
Average representation → My vote power: Average.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information.
What does this office do?
- Signing or vetoing bills that become state law
- Proposing the state budget for schools, roads, and health care
- Picking who leads state agencies
Affects: AI Regulation, Healthcare Affordability, Environment and Public Health,
Who is running?
Democratic
Dan Ahlers is a Dell Rapids small business owner who served six years in the state Legislature and has led the South Dakota Democratic Party as executive director. He says his focus is affordable health care and strong public schools.
Records: Public Education Quality 5 for, Women's Reproductive Rights 3 for, 1 against, Civil Rights 3 for,
Republican · Incumbent
Larry Rhoden is South Dakota's governor and a lifelong rancher. He served 16 years in the Legislature, including as House Majority Leader, and six years as lieutenant governor, and says his focus is low taxes, property rights, and low crime.
Records: Women's Reproductive Rights 9 against, Government Spending Reduction 2 for, 6 against, Gun Control 7 against,
Sources: vip.sdsos.gov · sdsos.gov
Last updated September 24, 2026.