Watertown, Codington County 2026 Election Results: Voters Reject Tax Referendum 83
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Voters in Watertown and Codington County rejected a referred county gross receipts tax ordinance by more than 20 percentage points, elected Republican Brenda Hanten as Codington County auditor by a 431-vote margin, and sent an all-Republican legislative delegation from Districts 4 and 5 to Pierre, according to complete unofficial general election returns released Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, 2026, by the South Dakota Secretary of State.
Across all 671 precincts reporting statewide, 310,298 ballots were cast out of 628,563 registered voters, producing an unofficial statewide voter turnout of 49.37 percent. At the top of the ticket, Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen won a full term, Republican Marty Jackley captured South Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat, and Republican Sen. Mike Rounds won re-election to the U.S. Senate. South Dakota voters also approved Constitutional Amendments J and K while rejecting Constitutional Amendments I and L.
All results remain unofficial until county canvassing boards—including the Codington County Board of Commissioners, which meets at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Codington County Courthouse—complete official certification.
Codington County Contests: Referendum 83 and County Auditor
Voters Reject Referendum 83 Across 19 of 20 Precincts
Codington County voters defeated Referendum 83—an ordinance imposing a county gross receipts tax and a use tax for Codington County—by a margin of 1,895 votes (20.72 percentage points) out of 9,147 total votes cast:
· No: 5,521 votes (60.36 percent)
· Yes: 3,626 votes (39.64 percent)
Precinct-Level Statistical Breakdown:
· "No" carried 19 of Codington County's 20 reporting precincts. The lone precinct voting in favor of Referendum 83 was Kranzburg, where "Yes" prevailed 93 to 82 (53.14 percent to 46.86 percent).
· Statistical Summary Across All 20 Precincts: Total votes cast per precinct averaged 457.4 votes (standard deviation: 392.3), with a median of 331.5 votes, ranging from a minimum of 93 votes in Waverly (61 No, 32 Yes) to a maximum of 1,538 votes in Precinct-C3 / Pelican / Precinct-C4 (976 No, 562 Yes).
· "No" Vote Share Distribution: Across the 20 precincts, the "No" percentage averaged 61.32 percent (median: 61.96 percent, standard deviation: 7.30 percentage points), peaking at 75.53 percent in Eden/Phipps/Wallace (71 No, 23 Yes), 71.93 percent in Leola/South Shore (82 No, 32 Yes), and 71.33 percent in Graceland/Henry (107 No, 43 Yes).
Brenda Hanten Wins Codington County Auditor Race
In the contested race for Codington County auditor, Republican Brenda Hanten defeated Independent Debbie Melville by 431 votes (4.51 percentage points) out of 9,551 total votes cast:
· Brenda Hanten (Republican): 4,991 votes (52.26 percent)
· Debbie Melville (Independent): 4,560 votes (47.74 percent)
Precinct-Level Statistical Breakdown:
· Precinct Wins: Out of 20 precincts, Hanten won 12 precincts, Melville won seven precincts, and one precinct finished in an exact tie—Precinct-C2 (Elmira, Precinct-D2, Precinct-D4), where both candidates received 362 votes (50.00 percent each). Another race came down to a single ballot in Precinct-B1 (Precinct-B4, Precinct-E5), where Melville edged Hanten 316 to 315.
· Statistical Summary Across All 20 Precincts: Total votes cast per precinct averaged 477.6 votes (standard deviation: 407.1), with a median of 347.0 votes, a minimum of 90 votes in Waverly (48 Melville, 42 Hanten), and a maximum of 1,572 votes in Precinct-C3 / Pelican / Precinct-C4 (872 Hanten, 700 Melville).
· Candidate Share Distribution: Hanten’s vote share across the 20 precincts averaged 52.58 percent (median: 53.26 percent, standard deviation: 5.19 percentage points), ranging from a low of 42.49 percent in Sheridan (where Melville won 111 to 82, or 57.51 percent) to highs of 61.62 percent in Eden/Phipps/Wallace (61 to 38) and 61.38 percent in Kranzburg (116 to 73).
Codington County Precinct | Auditor: Hanten (R) | Auditor: Melville (I) | Auditor Total | Ref. 83: Yes | Ref. 83: No | Ref. 83 Total |
Dexter (Fuller/Florence) | 125 (50.40%) | 123 (49.60%) | 248 | 80 (34.04%) | 155 (65.96%) | 235 |
Eden / Phipps / Wallace | 61 (61.62%) | 38 (38.38%) | 99 | 23 (24.47%) | 71 (75.53%) | 94 |
Germantown (Rauville) | 92 (55.09%) | 75 (44.91%) | 167 | 73 (45.34%) | 88 (54.66%) | 161 |
Graceland / Henry | 90 (58.06%) | 65 (41.94%) | 155 | 43 (28.67%) | 107 (71.33%) | 150 |
Kampeska (Richland) | 106 (56.08%) | 83 (43.92%) | 189 | 79 (41.80%) | 110 (58.20%) | 189 |
Kranzburg | 116 (61.38%) | 73 (38.62%) | 189 | 93 (53.14%) | 82 (46.86%) | 175 |
Leola / South Shore | 63 (53.85%) | 54 (46.15%) | 117 | 32 (28.07%) | 82 (71.93%) | 114 |
Precinct-A1 | 375 (48.32%) | 401 (51.68%) | 776 | 333 (45.55%) | 398 (54.45%) | 731 |
Precinct-A2 | 197 (52.67%) | 177 (47.33%) | 374 | 141 (38.32%) | 227 (61.68%) | 368 |
Precinct-A3 (Precinct-A4) | 180 (48.00%) | 195 (52.00%) | 375 | 146 (41.60%) | 205 (58.40%) | 351 |
Precinct-B1 (B4, E5) | 315 (49.92%) | 316 (50.08%) | 631 | 258 (44.03%) | 328 (55.97%) | 586 |
Precinct-B2 (B3, C1) | 540 (46.96%) | 610 (53.04%) | 1,150 | 389 (35.49%) | 707 (64.51%) | 1,096 |
Precinct-C2 (Elmira, D2, D4) | 362 (50.00%) | 362 (50.00%) | 724 | 256 (37.76%) | 422 (62.24%) | 678 |
Precinct-C3 (Pelican, C4) | 872 (55.47%) | 700 (44.53%) | 1,572 | 562 (36.54%) | 976 (63.46%) | 1,538 |
Precinct-D1 | 185 (47.19%) | 207 (52.81%) | 392 | 141 (37.30%) | 237 (62.70%) | 378 |
Precinct-D3 | 173 (54.06%) | 147 (45.94%) | 320 | 98 (31.41%) | 214 (68.59%) | 312 |
Precinct-E1 (Lake, E4) | 499 (55.57%) | 399 (44.43%) | 898 | 366 (42.56%) | 494 (57.44%) | 860 |
Precinct-E2 (Precinct-E3) | 516 (57.85%) | 376 (42.15%) | 892 | 395 (46.20%) | 460 (53.80%) | 855 |
Sheridan | 82 (42.49%) | 111 (57.51%) | 193 | 86 (46.99%) | 97 (53.01%) | 183 |
Waverly | 42 (46.67%) | 48 (53.33%) | 90 | 32 (34.41%) | 61 (65.59%) | 93 |
CODINGTON COUNTY TOTAL | 4,991 (52.26%) | 4,560 (47.74%) | 9,551 | 3,626 (39.64%) | 5,521 (60.36%) | 9,147 |
Legislative District 5 and District 4 Results
District 5 (Watertown / Codington County): Vilhauer, Roby, and Callies Elected
In Legislative District 5, Republicans won all three seats representing Watertown and Codington County:
· State Senate (District 5): Republican Glen A. Vilhauer, running unopposed across the district's 12 precincts, received 6,113 votes (100 percent).
· State House of Representatives (District 5 — Two Seats Elected): A total of 12,653 votes were cast across three candidates:
1. Matt Roby (Republican): 5,825 votes (46.04 percent) — Elected
2. Byron I. Callies (Republican): 4,137 votes (32.70 percent) — Elected
3. Neal Tapio (Independent): 2,691 votes (21.27 percent)
o Margin Stats: Roby finished first by 1,688 votes (13.34 percentage points) ahead of Callies, while Callies secured the second seat by a 1,446-vote margin (11.43 percentage points) over Tapio.
District 4 (Six-County Region): Sauder, Kohl, and Deutsch Elected
Across Legislative District 4’s 56 precincts spanning Clark, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, and Roberts counties, Republicans swept the Senate and House races:
· State Senate (District 4): Unopposed Republican Stephanie Sauder received 7,565 total votes (100 percent). Across the six counties, Sauder’s vote total averaged 1,260.8 votes per county (median: 1,135.5, standard deviation: 562.9), led by Grant County with 2,121 votes (28.04 percent of the district total), Hamlin County with 1,698 votes (22.45 percent), Deuel County with 1,216 votes (16.07 percent), Clark County with 1,055 votes (13.95 percent), Codington County with 912 votes (12.06 percent), and Roberts County with 563 votes (7.44 percent).
· State House of Representatives (District 4 — Two Seats Elected): Out of 17,358 total votes cast across the six counties, Republicans Ryan Kohl and Fred Deutsch finished first and second in all six counties:
1. Ryan Kohl (Republican): 6,856 votes (39.50 percent) — Elected
2. Fred Deutsch (Republican): 6,131 votes (35.32 percent) — Elected
3. Emelia Enquist (Democratic): 2,725 votes (15.70 percent)
4. Samuel Froehlke (Independent): 1,646 votes (9.48 percent)
o District Statistical Breakdown: Kohl led Deutsch by 725 votes (4.18 percentage points), while Deutsch outpaced third-place finisher Enquist by 3,406 votes (19.62 percentage points). Total House votes cast per county averaged 2,893.0 votes (median: 2,566.0, standard deviation: 1,308.2), ranging from 1,342 votes in Roberts County to 4,950 votes in Grant County.
District 4 County | Ryan Kohl (R) | Fred Deutsch (R) | Emelia Enquist (D) | Samuel Froehlke (I) | Total House Votes | Stephanie Sauder (R) Senate |
Clark (12/12) | 922 (41.40%) | 830 (37.27%) | 276 (12.39%) | 199 (8.94%) | 2,227 | 1,055 |
Codington (20/20) | 802 (37.99%) | 738 (34.96%) | 344 (16.30%) | 227 (10.75%) | 2,111 | 912 |
Deuel (10/10) | 1,087 (37.42%) | 1,003 (34.53%) | 452 (15.56%) | 363 (12.50%) | 2,905 | 1,216 |
Grant (17/17) | 1,962 (39.64%) | 1,687 (34.08%) | 922 (18.63%) | 379 (7.66%) | 4,950 | 2,121 |
Hamlin (7/7) | 1,557 (40.73%) | 1,416 (37.04%) | 488 (12.76%) | 362 (9.47%) | 3,823 | 1,698 |
Roberts (12/12) | 526 (39.20%) | 457 (34.05%) | 243 (18.11%) | 116 (8.64%) | 1,342 | 563 |
DISTRICT 4 TOTAL | 6,856 (39.50%) | 6,131 (35.32%) | 2,725 (15.70%) | 1,646 (9.48%) | 17,358 | 7,565 (100.0%) |
Surrounding Area County Races: Grant, Hamlin, and Roberts Counties
· Grant County Auditor (17 of 17 Precincts): Republican Brittany Folk defeated Democratic candidate Kathy Folk by 608 votes (21.27 percentage points) out of 2,858 total votes cast, tallying 1,733 votes (60.64 percent) to Kathy Folk’s 1,125 votes (39.36 percent). Brittany Folk carried all 17 Grant County precincts, with precinct support ranging from 53.18 percent in Precinct-46 (92 to 81) to 69.35 percent in Precinct-52 (43 to 19) and 69.23 percent in Precinct-42 (153 to 68).
· Hamlin County Commissioner — District 1 (1 of 1 Precinct): In the closest local race in the region, Republican Jeffrey Stan Shepherd edged Democratic candidate Randall G. Rudebusch by 14 votes (2.90 percentage points) out of 482 votes cast in Precinct-21, winning 248 votes (51.45 percent) to Rudebusch's 234 votes (48.55 percent).
· Roberts County Commissioner — District 3 (3 of 3 Precincts): Independent Robert Horton defeated Republican Ken M. Nelson by 37 votes (8.75 percentage points) out of 423 total votes cast, receiving 230 votes (54.37 percent) to Nelson’s 193 votes (45.63 percent). Horton won Precinct-05 (145 to 127) and Precinct-10 (80 to 48), while Nelson carried Precinct-09 (18 to 5).
· Roberts County Commissioner — District 5 (4 of 4 Precincts): Republican Joseph Fritz defeated Independent James Pirmantgen by 176 votes (25.43 percentage points) out of 692 total votes cast, earning 434 votes (62.72 percent) to Pirmantgen's 258 votes (37.28 percent).
Statewide & Federal Contests and Constitutional Amendments
Federal and Statewide Executive Races
· U.S. Senator: Republican Mike Rounds defeated Independent Brian L. Bengs by 64,087 votes (21.01 percentage points) out of 305,055 total votes cast—184,571 votes (60.50 percent) to 120,484 votes (39.50 percent). Rounds carried 61 of 66 South Dakota counties, averaging 67.13 percent per county (median: 69.21 percent, standard deviation: 13.08 percentage points, min: 15.63 percent in Oglala Lakota, max: 86.30 percent in Harding). In Codington County, Rounds won 6,421 to 3,452 (65.04 percent to 34.96 percent).
· U.S. Representative: Republican Marty Jackley defeated Democratic nominee Nicole "Nikki" Gronli by 85,603 votes (28.02 percentage points) out of 305,537 total votes cast—195,570 votes (64.01 percent) to 109,967 votes (35.99 percent). Jackley carried 61 of 66 counties, averaging 70.61 percent per county (median: 73.45 percent, standard deviation: 14.24 percentage points, min: 13.86 percent in Oglala Lakota, max: 93.15 percent in Harding). In Codington County, Jackley won 6,883 to 2,979 (69.79 percent to 30.21 percent).
· Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Republicans Larry Rhoden and Tony Venhuizen defeated Democrats Dan Ahlers and Steven McCleerey by 82,186 votes (27.00 percentage points) out of 304,448 total votes cast—193,317 votes (63.50 percent) to 111,131 votes (36.50 percent). Rhoden and Venhuizen won 61 of 66 counties, averaging 70.34 percent per county (median: 72.44 percent, standard deviation: 14.51 percentage points, min: 14.30 percent in Oglala Lakota, max: 95.02 percent in Harding). In Codington County, Rhoden and Venhuizen prevailed 6,774 to 3,122 (68.45 percent to 31.55 percent).
· Commissioner of School and Public Lands: Republican Brock Greenfield defeated Democrat Raeann Mettler by 68,731 votes (23.64 percentage points) out of 290,723 total votes cast—179,727 votes (61.82 percent) to 110,996 votes (38.18 percent). Greenfield carried 60 of 66 counties (county mean: 68.04 percent, median: 71.15 percent) and won Codington County 6,572 to 2,949 (69.03 percent to 30.97 percent).
Statewide Constitutional Amendments
· Constitutional Amendment I (Repealing Expanded Medicaid if Federal Funding Drops Below 90% — REJECTED): Defeated statewide by 34,204 votes (11.53 percentage points) out of 296,578 votes cast—165,391 No (55.77 percent) to 131,187 Yes (44.23 percent). "No" carried 45 of 66 counties, including Codington County (5,070 No [53.17 percent] to 4,466 Yes [46.83 percent]), Deuel County (51.31 percent No), and Grant County (56.06 percent No), while "Yes" narrowly carried Clark County (54.36 percent Yes) and Hamlin County (53.94 percent Yes).
· Constitutional Amendment J (Clarifying U.S. Citizenship Requirement to Vote — APPROVED): Approved statewide by 68,831 votes (23.05 percentage points) out of 298,649 votes cast—183,740 Yes (61.52 percent) to 114,909 No (38.48 percent). "Yes" carried 61 of 66 counties, including Codington County (6,190 Yes [63.79 percent] to 3,514 No [36.21 percent]).
· Constitutional Amendment K (Establishing the Trust for Unclaimed Property Fund — APPROVED): Approved statewide by 64,090 votes (21.87 percentage points) out of 293,018 votes cast—178,554 Yes (60.94 percent) to 114,464 No (39.06 percent). "Yes" carried 59 of 66 counties, including Codington County (5,742 Yes [60.61 percent] to 3,732 No [39.39 percent]).
· Constitutional Amendment L (Requiring a 60% Vote Threshold for Future Constitutional Amendments — REJECTED): Defeated statewide by 45,186 votes (15.19 percentage points) out of 297,494 votes cast—171,340 No (57.59 percent) to 126,154 Yes (42.41 percent). "No" won 50 of 66 counties (with one tie in Faulk County at 400 to 400), carrying Codington County 5,461 No (57.18 percent) to 4,090 Yes (42.82 percent).
Contest / Ballot Measure | Statewide Winner / Outcome | Statewide Votes (%) | Statewide Margin | Codington County Result (%) |
U.S. Senator | Mike Rounds (R) over Brian L. Bengs (I) | 184,571 (60.50%) to 120,484 (39.50%) | +64,087 (+21.01%) | Rounds: 6,421 (65.04%) to 3,452 (34.96%) |
U.S. Representative | Marty Jackley (R) over Nikki Gronli (D) | 195,570 (64.01%) to 109,967 (35.99%) | +85,603 (+28.02%) | Jackley: 6,883 (69.79%) to 2,979 (30.21%) |
Governor / Lt. Governor | Rhoden / Venhuizen (R) over Ahlers / McCleerey (D) | 193,317 (63.50%) to 111,131 (36.50%) | +82,186 (+27.00%) | Rhoden: 6,774 (68.45%) to 3,122 (31.55%) |
School & Public Lands | Brock Greenfield (R) over Raeann Mettler (D) | 179,727 (61.82%) to 110,996 (38.18%) | +68,731 (+23.64%) | Greenfield: 6,572 (69.03%) to 2,949 (30.97%) |
Amendment I (Medicaid) | NO (Rejected) | 165,391 No (55.77%) to 131,187 Yes (44.23%) | -34,204 (-11.53%) | No: 5,070 (53.17%) to 4,466 Yes (46.83%) |
Amendment J (Citizenship) | YES (Approved) | 183,740 Yes (61.52%) to 114,909 No (38.48%) | +68,831 (+23.05%) | Yes: 6,190 (63.79%) to 3,514 No (36.21%) |
Amendment K (Unclaimed Prop.) | YES (Approved) | 178,554 Yes (60.94%) to 114,464 No (39.06%) | +64,090 (+21.87%) | Yes: 5,742 (60.61%) to 3,732 No (39.39%) |
Amendment L (60% Threshold) | NO (Rejected) | 171,340 No (57.59%) to 126,154 Yes (42.41%) | -45,186 (-15.19%) | No: 5,461 (57.18%) to 4,090 Yes (42.82%) |
