Voters Cast Ballots in Georgia Special and South Dakota Runoff

Voters in Georgia and South Dakota cast ballots on July 29, 2026, for two distinct special elections. In Georgia, a special election was held to determine who will finish the term of the late Representative David Scott in the 13th congressional district. Candidates seeking the seat include Scott's daughter, Everton Blair, and former Mississippi judge Carlos Moore. The winner of this race will serve only until January.

Simultaneously, South Dakota conducted its first-ever gubernatorial runoff between incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden and bitcoin investor Toby Doeden. The runoff was triggered after the June 2 primary ended without any candidate reaching the 35% threshold required by a 1985 state law; Doeden led that field with 31% and Rhoden followed with 25%. Rhoden assumed the governorship in January 2025 after Kristi Noem resigned to become Homeland Security secretary under President Donald Trump.

While Rhoden is positioned as the establishment favorite, Doeden is running as an outsider with specific support in Minnehaha and Pennington counties. The winner of this Republican runoff will advance to the general election on November 3 to face Democratic nominee and former legislator Dan Ahlers.