South Dakotaedri-v0

EDRIElection Dispute Resolution Index

How robust are mechanisms to resolve election disputes?

Disputes36.4%4/11 · 10 datapoints · 3 dimensionsCompare across jurisdictions →

Dimensions

Contest0.0%
0/5 · 4 datapoints
Recount62.5%
3/4 · 4 datapoints
Timing75.0%
2/2 · 2 datapoints

Contest

0.0% · 0/5

Recount

62.5% · 3/4
DatapointScoreRationale & evidenceSource
RECT.1Statutory recount procedureAre recount procedures (who counts, how, with what evidence) defined in statute, not regulation or administrative directive?0.5/150.0%

§ 12-17B-17 codifies State Board of Elections rule-making promulgation including for recount procedures. § 12-21-54 codifies defenses to certiorari review of recount. The recount statutory framework is codified in §§ 12-21-1 through 12-21-65 (Chapter 12-21 Recounts).

§ view source
2026-05-19
RECT.2Recount triggers enumeratedAre the triggers for an automatic or petition-based recount enumerated in statute (margin thresholds, sworn challenge, etc.)?1/1100.0%

§ 12-21-16 codifies AUTOMATIC recount on tie vote: 'Whenever by reason of a tie vote found to exist upon the canvass of the original official returns…'. § 12-21-10 codifies petition-recount at ≤2% margin. Explicit trigger enumeration codified.

§ view source
2026-05-19
RECT.3Recount cost allocationIs the cost of a petition-based recount allocated by statute (who pays under what outcome)?0/10.0%

No candidate sections returned by FTS.

no FTS match
2026-05-19
RECT.4Recount-finding effectAre the legal effects of a recount finding (binding, advisory, mandatory amendment) codified in statute?1/1100.0%

§ 12-22-21 codifies that 'judgment shall be withheld while recount or certiorari pending — judgment declaring election' — recount/certiorari findings binding on certification. § 12-21-45 codifies court order for second recount. § 12-21-47 codifies certiorari review. § 12-22-26 codifies legislative-contest notice. Recount-finding effect codified.

§ view source
2026-05-19

Timing

75.0% · 2/2
DatapointScoreRationale & evidenceSource
TIME.1Certification deadline in statuteIs the certification deadline (when the result becomes 'official') set by statute, not by administrative discretion?1/1100.0%

§ 12-11-3 codifies the certification timing for special congressional elections. § 8-8 codifies certification to county auditors. § 12-21-47 codifies certiorari filing deadline. § 12-21-61 codifies appeal procedure with speedy-determination provisions. § 12-5-14 codifies party-officer certification. Statutory certification deadlines codified.

§ view source
2026-05-19
TIME.2Pre-certification stayDoes statute provide a mechanism to stay certification while a recount or contest is pending?0.5/150.0%

§ 12-21-61 codifies procedure on appeal to Supreme Court with 'provisions to secure speedy determination.' § 12-22-21 (not in FTS top-5 for this datapoint) codifies that judgment is WITHHELD while recount or certiorari pending — explicit pre-certification stay mechanism. Pre-certification stay codified.

§ view source
2026-05-19

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