On October 16, Public Policy Polling released a poll for the 2014 South Dakota U.S. Senate race. The seat is open because incumbent Tim Johnson is retiring. The results: Republican Mike Rounds 40%, Democrat Rick Weiland 34%, Libertarian Kurt Evans 11%, undecided 15%.

Parties retain their place on the ballot in South Dakota if they poll 2.5% for Governor. No other race matters for that purpose. A party that meets the vote test then remains on for another four years. The Libertarian Party has met the 2.5% gubernatorial vote test only once, in 1994. The Constitution Party is also ballot-qualified in South Dakota for 2014. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.