Local Politics
Voter Interviews Reflect Democratic Struggles in South Dakota Election
On Tuesday's election, South Dakota Searchlight reporters visited polling places in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Dell Rapids and Mitchell, encountering few Democratic voters amid a statewide trend that began after the party's 2008 peak. Registered Democrats have fallen from over 200,000 to roughly 135,000, while Republicans number about 330,000 and independents or unaffiliated voters total approximately 160,000. No Democrat has won a statewide race in South Dakota since 2008. The Senate contest pitted Republican incumbent Mike Rounds against independent Brian Bengs after the Democratic nominee dropped out in August; several voters interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with both candidates.