Poll shows South Dakota voters support eliminating sales tax on groceries

A year after Gov. Kristi Noem vowed to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries, and several months after lawmakers failed to deliver on her promise, a strong majority of South Dakota voters still support dropping the sales tax on food.

A new statewide poll co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch shows that 61% of registered voters support a proposed statewide ballot measure that would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries.

While 29% of overall voters oppose the cut and 10% were undecided, the poll showed majority support for eliminating the tax among Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

South Dakota is one of 13 states that levies a sales tax on groceries.

Previous estimates put the cost of the tax on consumers – and the accompanying loss in state revenues – at about $100 million a year.

December 18, 2023