Office of theSouth Dakota Secretary of StateOfficial services and public information
Official South Dakota government website
About South Dakota · State government

Executive Branch

The governor is South Dakota's chief executive and leads the departments and bureaus that administer state government.

State leadership

Governor and lieutenant governor

The governor and lieutenant governor run as a team and are elected to four-year terms in nonpresidential election years. Each is limited to two successive terms and must meet state residency, citizenship, and age requirements.

The lieutenant governor presides over the State Senate and performs duties delegated by the governor.

Visit the Office of the Governor

State administration

Departments and bureaus

  • Bureau of Administration
  • Bureau of Finance and Management
  • Bureau of Information and Telecommunications
  • Bureau of Human Resources
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Corrections
  • Education
  • Game, Fish and Parks
  • Governor's Office of Economic Development
  • Health
  • Human Services
  • Labor and Regulation
  • Military
  • Public Safety
  • Revenue
  • Social Services
  • Tourism
  • Transportation
  • Tribal Relations
  • Veterans Affairs

Higher education

Board of Regents

The South Dakota Board of Regents is the constitutionally established governing board for the state public universities and special schools.

Visit the South Dakota Board of Regents