The Heritage Foundation's database lists 6 proven election-fraud cases in South Dakota since 1982, 6 of them since 2000, most commonly petition fraud. Against 690,306 registered voters, the since-2000 cases equal 0.00087% of the rolls, or 1 in 115k registered voters. Per ballot, that is 2.25 cases per million presidential votes since 2000: 1.4× the national rate, #16 of 51. Even here, proven fraud touches a vanishing sliver of the vote. What new voting rules would cost →
6
proven cases, 1982–2025 (5 criminal convictions)
0.00087%
of registered voters: 6 cases since 2000 vs 690,306 registered voters (2024)
2.25
cases per million presidential ballots, 2000–2024 (U.S.: 1.58)
#16
of 51 by per-ballot rate · 0 noncitizen cases
South Dakota cases by type of fraud, 1982–2025. A case can involve more than one type.
Petition fraud
3
Double voting
3
South Dakota cases by year the case concluded, 2000–2025 (6 total). 2025 is incomplete.
Every South Dakota case in the database
5 criminal conviction · 1 diversion program. Individuals are not named here; each row links to the court record or news report Heritage cites. Overturned races are named.