Newsletter: If It Can Happen In South Dakota, It Can Happen Anywhere

There's a team of independent voters, Democrats and Republicans working to bring voting rights to independent voters. Let's help them do it.

I've told you before that there are ballot measures in seven separate states to bring independent voters their voting rights this year.

Today, I'd like to talk about just one of them, and the urgency around it.


LetUsVote Newsletter: If it can happen in South Dakota, it can happen anywhere.

South Dakota is known as a one-party state. And it is. But did you know that 50% of South Dakotans are not Republicans? 

It's true. A quarter of South Dakotans are independents like you and me, and the remainder are Democrats.

Independents in South Dakota can't vote in the Republican primaries, but the primary is the whole election in South Dakota.

This adds up to a stark reality: independent voters in South Dakota have no power.

A ballot measure this year has the potential to change all that, if we help them get there. Take a look at our latest LetUsVote video and see for yourself:

One-party rule is never good, no matter which party is doing the ruling. We've spoken to independents in places like South Dakota, but also Washington, DC and New Mexico - two places dominated by Democratic rule.

You know what? Their experiences are almost identical. They're shut out, cast aside, and dismissed by the party in charge.

But normal citizens like you and me - every day, civically minded people - can make the change. We can put together real campaigns. We can organize. And we can support each other.

Check out a few of our Citizen Spotlights from independents in South Dakota to see the kinds of people I'm talking about:

Mike Brooke

"A lot of times with the parties, you get the feeling that someone is doing the thinking for everyone else. That doesn't appeal to me, I like to think for myself."

Kara Dirkson

"It was at first this crusade to be a good teacher and to be open-minded, and I really embraced it as my own personal perspective."

In South Dakota, that moment for change is right now. Turning South Dakota into an open primary state and giving independents the vote is on the ballot this November.

But there's an uncomfortable reality. Major parties don't like sharing their power. They don't want campaigns like this to succeed. And they'll do everything in their power to stop it. We need to act now.

Building a viable, durable political movement by and for independent voters like Kara and Mike, like you and me - and installing real political progress across the country takes money - lots of it.

LetUsVote is supporting these seven campaigns to change voting rights for over 3 million voters in 2024. Every dollar you donate will go directly to talking straight to independent voters in these communities.

Will you help us make it a reality?

A donation of $10, $25 or $100 can put a campaign like South Dakota over the finish line. Donate today.

Donate: Support Independent Voters

This is key. If we want to be taken seriously, we need to step up and show that independent voters matter, that we're paying attention, and that we refuse to be taken for granted.

Thank you for everything you do.

Sincerely,

Will Conway