VoteVera

Governor

Governor, South Dakota

November 3, 2026 · 12 statements · 2026.09.30-0df8b158

  • Reviewed by a person.

Candidates

  • Dan Ahlers

    Democratic

    Sourced positions on 4 of 12

    Limited data. Fewer than 6 sourced positions.

  • Larry Rhoden

    Republican Incumbent

    Sourced positions on 9 of 12

    Campaign siterhodenforsd.com

Statements and positions

AgreeDisagreeNo clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.

State statements

Health careNo. 01/12

South Dakota should end Medicaid expansion if the federal share of its cost falls below 90%.

Background

Voters added Medicaid expansion to the state constitution in 2022, and the federal government currently pays 90% of its cost. Amendment I on the November 2026 ballot would tie the expansion to that federal share staying at 90% or more.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden Agree

When we have $40 trillion in debt in our nation, you can bet the feds are going to be kicking that down to the states.

Press quote · Sep 5, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourceyahoo.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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EducationNo. 02/12

South Dakota should create education savings accounts that families can use for private school costs.

Background

An education savings account puts state money into an account that families can spend on private tuition and other approved costs. Recent proposals to start such a program have not passed the Legislature.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

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Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden Agree

This money will fund scholarships for families to use on a variety of educational purposes. They can use it to attend classical schools like Saint Joseph or a micro-school like Onward Learning.

Press quote · Nov 14, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcedakotanewsnow.com No archived copy yet

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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EducationNo. 03/12

South Dakota should use state budget surpluses to raise funding for K-12 public schools.

Background

The state sends aid to school districts through a per-student formula that lawmakers adjust in each budget. This would direct surplus revenue toward larger increases in that aid.

Dan Ahlers Agree

the state has repeatedly ignored its legal obligation to increase education funding

Campaign or official site · Dec 7, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcedanahlers.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.65)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden Disagree

we have to keep them flat this year

Press quote · Dec 2, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcesdpb.org Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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EconomyNo. 04/12

South Dakota should ban the use of eminent domain for all privately owned commercial projects.

Background

In 2025 the state banned the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines. This would extend that ban to other projects built by private companies.

Dan Ahlers Agree

I don't think that private companies should have access to eminent domain like they do here in South Dakota

Press quote · Feb 10, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcekornradio.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
Accepted sources

A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked

Larry Rhoden No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

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Public safetyNo. 05/12

South Dakota should legalize recreational marijuana for adults.

Background

South Dakota allows medical marijuana, but recreational use is illegal. Voters approved legalization in 2020, which the state Supreme Court struck down, and rejected it in 2022 and 2024.

Dan Ahlers Agree

when the people of South Dakota passed recreational medicinal marijuana, the governor worked with law enforcement to undo the will of the people

Press quote · Sep 5, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcekotatv.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

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ImmigrationNo. 06/12

South Dakota should have state troopers help enforce federal immigration law through 287(g) agreements.

Background

The federal 287(g) program lets trained state and local officers perform certain immigration enforcement tasks. Participation is voluntary and decided by each state or local agency.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden Agree

My administration's number one responsibility is keeping South Dakotans safe. We've been working hard to get illegal alien criminals off our streets, out of our prison, and out of our country.

Press quote · May 18, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcedrgnews.com No archived copy yet

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

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Public safetyNo. 07/12

South Dakota should build a new men's prison to replace the state penitentiary.

Background

The state penitentiary in Sioux Falls dates to the 1880s, and plans for a new prison have been debated for years. A new prison would cost several hundred million dollars in state funds.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden Agree

This is the year to finish the job

Press quote · Jan 28, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcemitchellrepublic.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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TaxesNo. 08/12

South Dakota should cap annual increases in homeowners' property tax assessments.

Background

Rising home values have driven up assessments in South Dakota, and 2025 laws limited some property tax growth. A cap would limit how fast a home's taxable value can rise each year.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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Larry Rhoden Agree

216 is a win for South Dakota homeowners. The bill is impactful and workable, and it will certainly buffer any future tax increases.

Press quote · Mar 13, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcedakotanewsnow.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
Accepted sources

A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked

EconomyNo. 09/12

South Dakota should use state funds to help families pay for child care.

Background

South Dakota relies mostly on federal money for child care assistance. State funds would expand aid to more families and cost the state money.

Dan Ahlers Agree

Public investment can provide the long-term stability needed to make childcare and early education more affordable and accessible across the state.

Campaign or official site · Sep 29, 2026 · retrieved Sep 30, 2026

Open sourcedanahlers.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked

Larry Rhoden No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
Accepted sources

A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked

Health careNo. 10/12

South Dakota should require adults in Medicaid expansion to work or volunteer.

Background

Voters approved an amendment in 2024 allowing work requirements for expansion adults, and 2025 federal law requires them starting in 2027. This would apply the requirement as broadly as the law permits.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

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Larry Rhoden Agree

With the passage of Amendment F last November, my Department of Social Services will work with the Trump Administration to get the ball rolling on work requirements for recipients of Medicaid Expansion.

Press quote · Jan 28, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcemitchellrepublic.com No archived copy yet

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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ImmigrationNo. 11/12

South Dakota should send National Guard troops to help patrol the southern border.

Background

South Dakota has sent National Guard members to the Texas border in past deployments. Sending more would support federal border enforcement at state expense.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

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Larry Rhoden Agree

The 109th Engineer Battalion is working with the Trump Administration, Secretary Noem, and Border Patrol to keep our nation safe, and I was honored to see them in action at the Southern Border.

Press quote · May 21, 2025 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcedakotanewsnow.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
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A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

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TaxesNo. 12/12

South Dakota should make its 2023 state sales tax rate cut permanent.

Background

In 2023 South Dakota cut its state sales tax rate from 4.5% to 4.2%, with the cut set to expire in 2027. Making it permanent would keep the lower rate and reduce future state revenue.

Dan Ahlers No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.

Know a source? Challenge with evidence.

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Larry Rhoden Disagree

going to continue to pay that 4.5% with or without

Press quote · May 3, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026

Open sourcekotatv.com Archived copy

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Agree Challenge Discussion
Accepted sources

A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:

Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked