1918 South Dakota gubernatorial election

1918 South Dakota gubernatorial election

← 1916 November 5, 1918 1920 →
 
Nominee Peter Norbeck Mark P. Bates James E. Bird
Party Republican Nonpartisan League Democratic
Popular vote 51,175 25,118 17,858
Percentage 53.22% 26.12% 18.57%

County results
Norbeck:      40–50%      50–60%
     60–70%
Bates:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Bird:      50–60%

Governor before election

Peter Norbeck
Republican

Elected Governor

Peter Norbeck
Republican

The 1918 South Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1918. Incumbent Republican Governor Peter Norbeck ran for re-election to a second term. He won the Republican primary unopposed and faced Nonpartisan League candidate Mark P. Bates, a farmer, and Democratic nominee James E. Bird in the general election. Norbeck's share of the vote decreased from 1916 to 53%, but he benefited from the split field. Bates placed second with 26% of the vote, while Bird placed third with 19% of the vote.