Rounds, Johnson win statewide races while recreational and medical marijuana both pass

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and Public utilities Commissioner Gary Hanson, all Republicans, all easily won their South Dakota races.

But with Republicans long dominating the state’s elections, the most interesting development was the passage of separate proposals to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana.

With most votes counted statewide Wednesday morning, recreational marijuana had 53% approval while medical marijuana had 69% approval. A constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting in Deadwood has passed with 59% approval.

Election officials received a historical number of absentee ballots fro yesterday’s election, lengthening the count in some areas.

 

November 4, 2020