2026 South Dakota Legislative Scorecard

Accountability is the foundation of a representative republic. The South Dakota Republican Legislative Scorecard is designed to provide voters with a transparent, objective analysis of how their elected officials are voting on the most critical conservative issues facing our state. We analyze roll call votes from the latest legislative sessions to determine whether lawmakers are truly upholding the principles of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and constitutional rights.

Understanding Our Methodology

Our scoring system is rigorous and strictly non-partisan in its evaluation of the votes themselves. We select bills that present a clear delineation between conservative and progressive governance. A vote that aligns with our core pillars—such as reducing property taxes, expanding Second Amendment protections, protecting agricultural freedom, or enforcing strict border security measures (where state applicable)—earns a positive mark. Conversely, votes to expand the size of government, increase taxation, or infringe upon personal liberties result in a negative mark.

The final percentage score represents the frequency with which a legislator voted in accordance with the conservative position on these key bills. A score of 100% indicates a perfect conservative voting record for the selected bills. We strongly encourage voters not only to look at the final percentage but to review the specific "Key Legislation Evaluated" section below to understand exactly which votes were considered in this year's calculation.

State Senate Scores

The State Senate plays a crucial role in confirming gubernatorial appointments and serving as a deliberative body for major statutory changes. Below are the conservative grades for current State Senators based on the most recent legislative session data.

State House of Representatives Scores

With 70 members, the State House is the chamber closest to the people. Because representatives serve shorter terms and represent smaller districts, their votes often reflect immediate grassroots sentiment. It is imperative that we hold the House accountable to prevent progressive policies from gaining a foothold in Pierre.

Key Legislation Evaluated

To provide complete transparency, the following bills were used to calculate the 2026 scorecard grades. We encourage you to read the full text of these bills to understand their impact.

• HB 1001: The Property Tax Relief Act. A vote "YEA" supported conservative efforts to cap property tax assessments for agricultural land.
• SB 55: Second Amendment Preservation. A vote "YEA" prohibited state agencies from utilizing resources to enforce federal executive orders restricting firearms.
• HB 1042: Regulatory Reduction Initiative. A vote "YEA" eliminated outdated bureaucratic hurdles for small business formation.
• SB 89: Expanded School Choice. A vote "YEA" supported the expansion of educational savings accounts for South Dakota families.

Take Action Locally

If your legislator scored poorly on this evaluation, it is your duty as a citizen to reach out to them. Polite, firm communication from constituents is the most effective way to change legislative behavior. If they refuse to adhere to the conservative platform, use our Election Center to find primary challengers and get involved in your local County GOP chapter to demand better representation. South Dakota's future depends on an engaged and informed electorate.