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  "description": "South Dakota is one of about 10 states that are in a partially closed primary system.",
  "path": "/south-dakota-gubernatorial-primary-democrats-republican-register-vote/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-18T09:52:14.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.sdnewswatch.org",
  "tags": [
    "Registration and Voting",
    "Bitter GOP primary for South Dakota governor heads to runoff",
    "Crossover voting in primary elections",
    "Voters talk temporary Republican switch",
    "Voter Party Affiliation Deadlines for Primaries",
    "South Dakota News Watch",
    "Gigafact",
    "on the tipline",
    "sdnewswatch.org"
  ],
  "textContent": "# Yes.\n\nSouth Dakota allows voters to change parties and vote in a primary or general election as long as the voter registration form is received by the county auditor 15 days before the election.\n\nThat means Democrats, independents and members of other parties could vote in the Republican runoff gubernatorial election July 28 if they change their party affiliation to Republican by the deadline. The winner of the race between Toby Doeden and Larry Rhoden will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in the Nov. 3 general election.\n\nSouth Dakota is one of about 10 states that are in a partially closed primary system, meaning you must vote in the primary of your party affiliation but can change before the deadline. Other states have an open primary — where Republicans can request a Democratic Party ballot, for instance.\n\nThe practice of switching parties for primaries is more appealing for Democrats since they typically don’t field enough candidates for primaries in statewide races in South Dakota.\n\n**Sources** :\n\nSouth Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, Registration and Voting\n\nCBS News, Bitter GOP primary for South Dakota governor heads to runoff\n\nLegal Clarity, Crossover voting in primary elections\n\nGenius or Unethical? Voters talk temporary Republican switch\n\nNational Conference of State Legislatures, Voter Party Affiliation Deadlines for Primaries\n\n* * *\n\nSouth Dakota News Watch partners with Gigafact to publish fact briefs that refute or confirm a claim with supporting information and additional evidence and context. Send questions or feedback to _news@sdnewswatch.org_. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline.\n\n _**South Dakota News Watch** is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at _sdnewswatch.org_.**Contact freelance reporter Michael Klinski:** michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org._",
  "title": "Fact brief: Can Democrats change parties and vote in the SD Republican primary?",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-18T09:52:14.516Z"
}