For immediate release:
Date: 11/1/2020
Subject: South Dakota General Election Races and Ballot Measures
Contact information: nbpolling@gmail.com
NIELSON BROTHERS POLLING HALLOWEEN WEEK POLITICAL SURVEY RESULTS
NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE RACES
In the recent Nielson Brothers Survey (October 24-28), Republicans hold leads in the major political races surveyed by NBP among likely South Dakota voters.
In the race for president, Republican Donald Trump leads Democrat Joe Biden, 55 percent* to 40 percent, with Libertarian Jo Jorgensen at 3 percent, with 2 percent undecided.
In the South Dakota US Senate race, incumbent Republican Mike Rounds leads Democratic challenger Dan Ahlers, 56 percent to 39 percent, with the remainder undecided..
The Republican incumbent is also ahead in the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission race. Gary Hanson leads Democrat Remi Bald Eagle and Libertarian Devin Saxon, with 50 percent for Hanson, 30 percent for Bald Eagle and 10 percent for Saxon, with 10 percent undecided.
Respondents were also asked whether the United States is going in the right or wrong direction. 36 percent said “right direction,†46 percent “wrong direction†and 18 percent undecided.
BALLOT MEASURES
Initiated Measure 26 (legalizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients including minors) has support from 57 percent of respondents and is opposed by 33 percent, with 9 percent undecided.
Amendment A (legalizes possession, use, transport and distribution of marijuana by twenty one year olds and older) has support from 48 percent of respondents and is opposed by 45 percent with 8 percent undecided.
Amendment B (authorizes the Legislature to allow sports wagering in Deadwood) has 43 percent of respondents supporting it and 38 percent opposing it, with 19 percent undecided.
OTHER ISSUES
NBP asked: “If the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act also known as Obama Care comes before the Supreme Court do you want it upheld or repealed?†47 percent want it repealed, with 39 percent want it upheld, and 14 percent undecided.
Finally, NBP asked: “Of the last four US presidents which would you rate as the best?†Donald Trump leads with 45 percent calling him the best of the last four presidents. Barack Obama comes in second with 33 percent. George W. Bush is third with 14 percent, and William Clinton is fourth with 9 percent.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS (% ROUNDED), RESPONSE NUMBERS,MARGINS OF ERROR
Is South Dakota going in the right or wrong direction?
Right direction 36%
Wrong direction 46
Undecided 18
484 responses, 4.45 percent margin of error
For US President would you vote for Republican Donald Trump, Libertarian Jo Jorgensen, or Democrat Joe Biden?
Trump 55%
Jorgensen 3
Biden 40
Undecided 2
484 responses, 4.45 percent margin of error
For US Senate would you vote for Republican Mike Rounds or Democrat Dan Ahlers?
Rounds 56%
Ahlers 39
Undecided 5
479 responses, 4.48 percent margin of error
For Public Utilities Commissioner would you vote for Republican Gary Hanson, Libertarian Devin Saxon, or Democrat Remi Bald Eagle?
Hanson 50%
Saxon 10
Bald Eagle 30
Undecided 10
469 responses, 4.52 percent margin of error
Initiated Measure 26 would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients including minors. It legalizes marijuana testing manufacturing and cultivation facilities, and dispensaries. How do you plan to vote?
For 57%
Against 33
Undecided 9
462 responses, 4.61 percent margin of error
Constitutional Amendment A legalizes possession, use, transport, and distribution of marijuana by twenty one year olds and older. It imposes a 15 percent tax on marijuana to cover regulatory costs with the remainder going to public schools and the State’s general fund. How do you plan to vote?
For 48%
Against 45
Undecided 8
455 responses, 4.59. percent margin of error
Constitutional Amendment B authorizes the Legislature to allow sports wagering in Deadwood. How do you plan to vote?
For 43%
Against 38
Undecided 19
447 responses, 4.63 percent margin of error
If the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act also known as Obama Care comes before the Supreme Court do you want it upheld or repealed?
Upheld 39%
Repealed 47
Undecided 14
440 responses, 4.67 percent margin of error
Of the last four US presidents which would you rate as the best?â€
Donald Trump 45%
Barack Obama 33
George W. Bush 14
William Clinton 9
367 responses, 5.11 percent margin of error
NBP surveyed a random selection of South Dakota registered voters October 24-28, 2020.
For more information contact NBP at nbpolling@gmail.com.
*Numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.
l3wis 
