What Is 2020 South Dakota Democratic primary

Overview

The 2020 South Dakota Democratic primary was part of the broader Democratic Party nomination process leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Unlike some states, South Dakota held a traditional primary election rather than a caucus, allowing registered Democrats to vote directly for their preferred candidate.

This primary was one of the final state contests in the Democratic nomination calendar, occurring after most major candidates had already withdrawn or secured the nomination. By June 2020, Joe Biden had effectively clinched the Democratic nomination, but the South Dakota primary still served to formally allocate delegates.

• June 2, 2020 was the official date of the South Dakota Democratic primary, making it one of the last state contests in the nomination cycle.
• Joe Biden won the primary decisively, capturing approximately 76% of the vote and demonstrating broad support among Democratic voters in the state.
• Bernie Sanders received about 21% of the vote, despite having suspended his campaign in April 2020, allowing write-in votes to still be counted.
• The state awarded 18 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention, all of which were allocated proportionally based on primary results.
• South Dakota does not allow open primaries; only registered Democrats were eligible to participate in the Democratic primary election.

How It Works

The South Dakota Democratic primary operates under state election laws and Democratic Party rules for delegate allocation. Voters cast ballots for presidential candidates, and delegates are awarded proportionally based on the results.

• Primary Type: South Dakota uses a presidential primary election, not a caucus, allowing broader voter participation through standard polling places and absentee ballots.
• Delegate Allocation: The state’s 18 pledged delegates were distributed proportionally to candidates who received at least 15% of the vote in the statewide primary.
• Voter Eligibility: Only voters registered as Democrats by the state’s deadline could participate, as South Dakota does not have open primaries.
• Proportional Rules: Unlike winner-take-all states, South Dakota follows Democratic Party rules requiring proportional distribution of delegates to qualifying candidates.
• Uncommitted Votes: About 3% of votes were cast as uncommitted, reflecting protest votes or strategic choices by some Sanders supporters after his withdrawal.
• Ballot Access: Candidates needed to file with the South Dakota Secretary of State by March 13, 2020, to appear on the Democratic primary ballot.

Comparison at a Glance

South Dakota’s primary process can be better understood by comparing it to other states with different rules and timelines.

South Dakota’s late primary date meant it had minimal impact on the overall nomination outcome, as Biden had already secured enough delegates by early April. However, it still followed standard Democratic proportional rules and provided a formal mechanism for delegate selection.

Why It Matters

While South Dakota’s primary did not alter the trajectory of the 2020 Democratic nomination, it played a role in the formal delegate selection process and reflected broader voter sentiment.

• Delegate Finalization: The primary results were used to certify 18 delegates who officially represented South Dakota at the Democratic National Convention.
• Party Engagement: Even in a low-stakes race, the primary encouraged Democratic voter participation and maintained party engagement in a traditionally Republican-leaning state.
• Procedural Integrity: Holding the primary ensured compliance with DNC rules for delegate selection, preserving fairness and transparency in the nomination process.
• Symbolic Representation: The vote allowed South Dakota Democrats to formally express preferences, even after the nominee was effectively decided.
• Future Implications: Results may influence state party strategy and outreach efforts in future election cycles, especially in expanding Democratic presence.
• Historical Record: The outcome contributes to the official record of Democratic primary elections, useful for political analysis and historical research.

South Dakota’s 2020 Democratic primary, while not pivotal in determining the nominee, fulfilled its role in the democratic process by enabling voter input and formal delegate allocation.