PIERRE, S.D. (South Dakota Searchlight) – South Dakota’s top election official floated potential legislation Tuesday that would allow prospective candidates to pay their way onto the ballot. Some members of the state Board of Elections responded during their meeting in Pierre by saying they oppose the idea, but the board took no formal action.

Rhoden sat down with KOTA Territory News hours after making his announcement. Asked about his top priorities, Governor Rhoden replied, “Well I’ve said it many times, my priority is to keep South Dakota strong, safe and free. And that’s more than, you know, that’s more than just a soundbite. I really believe that in my heart of hearts,”

Rhoden was elevated from lieutenant governor in January when Noem resigned to become secretary of the federal Department of Homeland Security. Since then, while serving the remainder of Noem’s second term, Rhoden has been attempting to prove his policy-over-politics mantra.

Property taxes and their impact on taxpayers’ wallets could prove to be dominant issues in South Dakota’s 2026 race for the governor’s office.

South Dakota’s top election official floated potential legislation Tuesday that would allow prospective candidates to pay their way onto the ballot.

Governor Larry Rhoden officially announced his reelection campaign at the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City on Tuesday, November 18.