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  "description": "South Dakota's electoral votes have been a lock for Republicans for decades, but has the state ever gone for a Democrat?",
  "path": "/fact-brief-south-dakota-presidential-election-electoral-votes/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-26T11:05:24.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.sdnewswatch.org",
  "tags": [
    "__this one.__",
    "_1964_",
    "_1936_",
    "_1932_",
    "_1912_",
    "_1896_",
    "_South Dakota_",
    "_Distribution of electoral votes_",
    "_South Dakota News Watch_",
    "_Gigafact_",
    "_Read previous fact briefs_",
    "_best practices policies_",
    "_South Dakota News Watch Tipline_",
    "Share your thoughts on this story",
    "__sdnewswatch.org__",
    "__sign up for an email__"
  ],
  "textContent": "## Yes.\n\nSouth Dakota’s electoral votes have gone to a non-Republican candidate for president five times, but the last time was more than 60 years ago.\n\nLyndon Johnson was the last Democratic candidate to win the state’s electoral votes, winning 55.6% of the vote against Republican Barry Goldwater in 1964.\n\nBefore that, the state's electoral votes went to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt for his first and second terms in 1932 and 1936. In 1912, the state was one of six that voted for Theodore Roosevelt, who ran in the Progressive Party. Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, won the election that year.\n\nIn 1896, the state went for William Jennings Bryan, a Democrat. Republican William McKinley won the presidency.\n\nSouth Dakota has had one U.S. House representative since 1983. At its peak, there were three from 1913-1933. Electoral votes are a combination of senators and representatives in Congress.\n\n_This fact brief responds to conversations such as_ __this one.__\n\n### **Sources**\n\nThe American Presidency Project, _1964_, _1936_, _1932_, _1912_, _1896_\n\n270towin.com, _South Dakota_\n\nNational Archives, _Distribution of electoral votes_\n\n* * *\n\n _South Dakota News Watch_ partners with _Gigafact_ to publish fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context.\n\n  * _Read previous fact briefs_.\n  * Read our verification standards and other _best practices policies_.\n  * Submit a question for us to answer on the _South Dakota News Watch Tipline_.\n  * Send questions or feedback to _factbrief@sdnewswatch.org_.\n\n\n\nShare your thoughts on this story\n\n _This story was produced by**South Dakota News Watch** , an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at ___sdnewswatch.org__ _and_ __sign up for an email__ _to get stories when they're published.**Contact Michael Klinski** at michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org._",
  "title": "Fact brief: Has South Dakota ever voted for a Democrat for president?",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-26T11:05:24.000Z"
}