2025 South Dakota Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the South Dakota Legislature in 2025 and ranks state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
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Senate Votes
1. Federal Rule Adoption
Updates the state's adoption of federal motor carrier safety and hazardous materials regulations to include all changes made through January 1, 2025.
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Constitutional Vote: No
2. Defend the Guard
Requires an official declaration of war or other congressional action before the South Dakota National Guard may be deployed by the federal government.
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Constitutional Vote: Yes
3. CO2 Eminent Domain Prevention
Provides that no one is allowed to use eminent domain—the unconstitutional power to take private property—to build or operate a pipeline primarily meant for transporting carbon oxide.
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Constitutional Vote: Yes
4. Childcare Assistance Program
Enacts a childcare assistance program to allow certain childcare workers to qualify for help with their own childcare costs.
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Constitutional Vote: No
5. Con-Con - Term Limits
Applies to Congress for an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would establish term limits for members of Congress.
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Constitutional Vote: No
6. Parental Rights Affirmation
Affirms that a parent's right to care for and make decisions for his or her child is a fundamental liberty.
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Constitutional Vote: Yes
How did they vote?
Legend:
Constitutional
Unconstitutional
Did not vote
| Name | Party | Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arch Beal | R | 33% | ||||||
| Greg Blanc | R | 50% | ||||||
| John Carley | R | 83% | ||||||
| Casey Crabtree | R | 17% | ||||||
| Sydney Davis | R | 17% | ||||||
| Randy Deibert | R | 33% | ||||||
| Helene M. Duhamel | R | 33% | ||||||
| Red Dawn Foster | D | 33% | ||||||
| Tamara Grove | R | 33% | ||||||
| Joy Hohn | R | 67% | ||||||
| Taffy Howard | R | 67% | ||||||
| Amber Hulse | R | 50% | ||||||
| Kevin D. Jensen | R | 50% | ||||||
| Chris Karr | R | 50% | ||||||
| Steve Kolbeck | R | 17% | ||||||
| Mark Lapka | R | 67% | ||||||
| Elizabeth Larson | D | 33% | ||||||
| Sue K. Lucas-Peterson | R | 50% | ||||||
| Sam Marty | R | 67% | ||||||
| Jim Mehlhaff | R | 17% | ||||||
| Paul R. Miskimins | R | 17% | ||||||
| Lauren Nelson | R | 67% | ||||||
| Ernie Otten | R | 50% | ||||||
| Carl E. Perry | R | 33% | ||||||
| Tom Pischke | R | 67% | ||||||
| Tim Reed | R | 17% | ||||||
| Michael H. Rohl | R | 33% | ||||||
| Stephanie Sauder | R | 17% | ||||||
| Kyle Schoenfish | R | 17% | ||||||
| Jamie Smith | D | 33% | ||||||
| Glen Vilhauer | R | 17% | ||||||
| Curt Voight | R | 40% | ||||||
| Mykala Voita | R | 83% | ||||||
| David Wheeler | R | 17% | ||||||
| Larry P. Zikmund | R | 33% |
Average Freedom Score by Party
| Party | Score |
|---|---|
| Democrat | 33% |
| Republican | 40.9% |
