South Dakota judicial elections
Appellate judges in South Dakota participate in retention elections, while circuit court judges compete in nonpartisan elections.
Primary elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June during even-numbered years. General elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the November after each primary.[1]
South Dakota is one of eight states that use retention elections to determine whether judges should remain on the bench without using another type of election as an initial selection method. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here.
| Supreme Court | Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Retention elections - Eight-year terms | Nonpartisan elections - Eight-year terms |
Elections
- South Dakota Supreme Court elections, 2026
- South Dakota Supreme Court elections, 2024
- South Dakota Supreme Court elections, 2022
- South Dakota Supreme Court elections, 2020
- South Dakota Supreme Court elections, 2018
- South Dakota judicial elections, 2016
- South Dakota judicial elections, 2014
- South Dakota judicial elections, 2012
Election rules
Primary election
If more than two candidates are running for a circuit court seat, they compete in the primary election. The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the general election.[2]
Code of judicial conduct
Candidates are subject to the South Dakota Code of Judicial Conduct, whether or not they are incumbent judges. Since 2006, the state has had a special nine-member committee to ensure ethical judicial campaigns.[3][4][5]
See also
External links
- South Dakota Unified Judicial System, "Judicial elections committee," 2012, accessed April 26, 2014
- South Dakota Legislature, "Title 12: Elections," 2013, accessed April 26, 2014
- South Dakota Legislature, "Title 16: Courts and judiciary," 2013, accessed April 26, 2014
Footnotes
- ↑ South Dakota Secretary of State, "Election FAQ," 2014, accessed April 26, 2014
- ↑ South Dakota Legislature, "Chapter 12-9, Section 8" 2013
- ↑ South Dakota Unified Judicial System, "Judicial elections: A guide to ethical campaigning in South Dakota," p. 2, 2014, accessed April 26, 2014
- ↑ Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, "Special committee to ensure ethical campaigns," November 21, 2013
- ↑ South Dakota Unified Judicial System, "Judicial elections committee," 2012, accessed April 26, 2014
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Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of South Dakota • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of South Dakota
State courts:
South Dakota Supreme Court • South Dakota Circuit Courts • South Dakota Magistrate Courts
State resources:
Courts in South Dakota • South Dakota judicial elections • Judicial selection in South Dakota
