With everything happening in the news right now, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but this is a moment where your voice truly matters. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is moving to bring H.R. 1, the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," to a vote by July 4.
At our most recent general meeting, we took a closer look at the bill. Members of our community shared detailed research and concerns about how this legislation would impact South Dakotans, including threats to public lands, cuts to essential programs like Medicare, and dangerous rollbacks of constitutional checks and local control. We've uploaded the handouts from that meeting to this post.

How to Take Action
The easiest and most effective way to speak out is through 5Calls.org. It’s a simple tool that connects you directly with your elected officials.
You can go straight to the action page for H.R. 1 here:
https://5calls.org/issue/hr1-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-budget-reconciliation/
That page includes:

• A summary of what’s in the bill and what’s at stake
• Phone numbers for your members of Congress
• A short script to help you call or leave a voicemail

Or, you can contact our delegation directly:

• Sen. John Thune: (202) 224‑2321
  Contact Form
• Sen. Mike Rounds: (202) 224‑5842
  Contact Form
• Rep. Dusty Johnson: (202) 225‑2801
  Contact Form

​Every single call or email makes a difference. Staff track these messages and report constituent feedback to our representatives. Let’s make sure South Dakotans are heard loud and clear before this bill comes to a vote.

Together, we can help stop H.R. 1 from becoming law.

Early voting has already started for municipal elections across Lawrence County, and Election Day is Tuesday, April 8th! These local races often have low turnout, which means your vote can have a big impact in shaping the future of your community.

Spearfish
Polling Location: Senior Citizens Center, 1306 North 10th St, Spearfish, SD 57783
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on April 8th
Early Voting: Now through April 7th at the Finance window on the first floor of City Hall, 625 N 5th St, Spearfish, SD 57783
On the ballot:

• Mayor: Micah Peters vs. incumbent John Senden 
• Ward 1: Raeann Mettler, Dean Myers, vs. incumbent Marty Clark 
• Ward 2: Victoria Greenlee vs. incumbent Larry Klarenbeek
• Ward 3: Michaela Madrid vs. incumbent Ana Rath

Watch the candidate forum here: Candidate Forum Recording
Find your ward on the Spearfish Voting Wards Map

Lead
Polling Location: Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, 160 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on April 8th
Early Voting: Available at City Hall, 801 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754
On the ballot:

• Mayor: Dustin Heupel vs. Eddie Muñoz Candidate Forum Recording

Deadwood 
Polling Location: City Hall, 108 Sherman St, Deadwood, SD 57732
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on April 8th
Early Voting: Also at Deadwood City Hall
On the ballot:

• Mayor: Charlie Mook vs. Blake Joseph

Lead-Deadwood School Board Candidates: Candidate Forum Recording
Amber Vogt, Robin Lucero, Tim Madsen


Candidate Questionnaires
Our elections committee invited all candidates to complete a questionnaire. We received responses from three candidates. Read their answers below. 

The Senate State Affairs Committee will soon hear several bills designed to make it harder for South Dakotans to put issues on the ballot. 

Bills That Restrict Citizen-Led Initiatives:

✖ HJR 5003 – Requires a 60% majority to pass a constitutional amendment. Voters overwhelmingly rejected this idea in 2022, but legislators are bringing it back. If passed, it will be on the ballot in the next election.

✖ SJR 504 – Changes signature requirements for ballot measures to county-by-county thresholds instead of a statewide total, making it even harder for grassroots efforts to succeed.

✖ HB 1184 – Shortens the time allowed to collect petition signatures, reducing the window for citizen-led initiatives.

✖ HJR 5006 – Prevents citizens from bringing certain issues to a vote if a similar measure was rejected in the last election. If passed, it will be on the ballot in the next election.

📧 Tell the Senate State Affairs Committee to Vote NO

✉ Email Contacts:
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]
📩 [email protected]

Sample Email to Legislators:

Subject: Please Oppose HJR 5003, SJR 504, HB 1184, and HJR 5006

Dear Senator,
I am writing to urge you to oppose HJR 5003, SJR 504, HB 1184, and HJR 5006—bills that would make it harder for South Dakotans to bring important issues to the ballot.
South Dakota has a proud tradition of direct democracy, and voters have repeatedly shown that they do not want unnecessary restrictions on the citizen initiative process. These bills would impose additional hurdles, limiting the ability of everyday citizens to have a voice in shaping our state’s future.
Please respect the will of the people and vote NO on these bills. South Dakotans should not have to fight their own government to exercise their constitutional rights.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address or City, Optional]

South Dakota’s public schools are the foundation of our communities, but proposed school voucher legislation threatens to divert millions in public funds away from them. The House Education Committee is currently reviewing these bills, and now is the time to make your voice heard.
Take Action!

1. Email the House Education Committee – Use the sample email below, personalize it with your concerns, and send it to the committee members.
2. Call Representatives – A short, direct phone call can make a big impact. Use the call list below.
3. Share with Others – Encourage friends, family, and community members to take action. Forward this information, post on social media, and talk to your neighbors about why public education matters.
4. Learn More – Explore the following resources on how school vouchers will harm South Dakota’s education system:
   • South Dakota Education Association: Vouchers
   • ​Why School Officials Are Speaking Out Against Vouchers​ 
   • Spearfish School Board Resolution to Oppose Vouchers

​Subject: Please Vote NO on HB 1020 – Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools

Dear Representative,

As a [parent, teacher, business owner, South Dakotan], I care deeply about the future of South Dakota’s public schools. Public education is the foundation of our communities, especially in rural areas where schools are already stretched thin. That’s why I urge you to vote NO on HB 1020.

Here’s why school vouchers are the wrong choice for South Dakota:
[Choose two or three bullet points from the list below and delete the rest]

• Public money should stay in public schools. Our tax dollars should support schools that serve all students, not private institutions that can pick and choose who they admit.
• Rural schools will suffer. When funding is diverted, small-town schools are hit hardest, leading to staff shortages, larger class sizes, and fewer opportunities for our kids.
• It expands government and wastes taxpayer dollars. A voucher system would require new oversight and regulations, creating costly government bureaucracy instead of putting that money directly into classrooms.
• We need well-educated Americans to stay competitive. Other countries are investing in education to strengthen their economies, and we should be doing the same, not wasting millions on an unproven scheme that weakens our public schools.
• Other states have seen ballooning costs. States like Arizona have faced massive budget shortfalls because of voucher programs, forcing cuts to essential services and infrastructure. South Dakota can’t afford to go down that path.
• South Dakota already offers school choice. Families have long been able to choose open enrollment, private schools, or homeschooling without diverting public funds away from our schools.
• Vouchers don’t improve education. Numerous studies show that voucher programs do not improve student outcomes and often worsen educational inequities.
• The costs will keep growing. Voucher programs never stay small. Even before this proposal has passed, there’s already talk of expanding it, draining more public funds year after year.
• The state budget is already stretched. With lower-than-expected revenue, funding for public schools is barely keeping up with inflation. A new voucher system will either unbalance the budget or force cuts to public schools.
• Private schools can still charge tuition. Private schools can raise tuition and collect millions in outside scholarships, even with taxpayer-funded vouchers, while public schools struggle with limited resources.
• Our students deserve investment, not cuts. Public schools are the foundation of our communities, preparing students for the workforce and shaping South Dakota’s future. If we want a competitive, well-educated workforce, we must invest in our public schools, not waste millions on an unproven scheme.

As a member of the [Education Committee/South Dakota House of Representatives], you have the chance to stand up for South Dakota’s students and protect our public schools. Please vote NO on HB 1020.

Thank you for your time, and I appreciate your service to our state.
​
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
​

​"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a [parent, teacher, South Dakotan] calling to ask you to vote NO on HB 1020.

South Dakota’s public schools are already underfunded, and school vouchers would take even more money away from them. Instead of creating expensive new government bureaucracy, we should be investing in our public schools to ensure a strong future for our students and our state.
​
Please stand up for South Dakota’s students and vote NO on HB 1020. Thank you."
​

Emails: (Copy and paste these into BCC to send an email to the entire committee)
​
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Capitol Switchboard: 605-773-3851 (Ask to leave a message for any Representative on the Education Committee)

​Lawrence County residents, your right to influence local zoning decisions is under threat! Ordinance 24-05, if passed, will fundamentally change how Conditional Use Permits are approved, eliminating public oversight and the ability to challenge decisions through a referendum.

What Would Ordinance 24-05 Do? 
Currently, decisions on Conditional Use Permits follow this process:

1. The Planning & Zoning Committee reviews and makes recommendations.
2. The County Commissioners vote to approve or deny the permit.
3. Citizens have the right to file a referendum petition to bring the issue to a public vote if they disagree with the decision.

Under Ordinance 24-05, this process changes dramatically:

• The responsibility for approving or denying Conditional Use Permits will shift entirely to the Board of Adjustment, whose members are appointed by the Commissioners (and include the Commissioners themselves).
• Decisions by the Board of Adjustment will not be subject to referendum, meaning citizens lose their ability to challenge decisions that impact their communities.​

​
What’s at Stake?
Conditional Use Permits apply to a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:

• Mineral exploration, drilling for oil or natural gas, and large-scale gravel extraction
• Restricted solid waste disposal facilities
• Livestock auction yards and commercial feedlots

These activities could significantly impact neighborhoods, property values, and our environment—and this ordinance would remove your ability to hold decision-makers accountable.

Read about the first reading of the ordinance in the Black Hills Pioneer

How Can You Help?
📧 EMAIL THE COMMISSIONERS
Send a message to oppose Ordinance 24-05. Your email doesn’t have to be long—what matters is that your voice is heard.

• [email protected]
• Bob Ewing  [email protected]
• Brandon Flanagan  [email protected]
• Eric Jennings  [email protected]
• Richard Sleep  [email protected]
• Rick Tysdal  [email protected]

🗓 ATTEND THE MEETING
Join us at the second reading of Ordinance 24-05:

• Date: Tuesday, November 26th
• Time: 9:15 AM
• Location: Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Room

Even though public comment will not be allowed, your presence will show the Commissioners that their constituents are paying attention.
​
📝 SAMPLE EMAIL
Subject: Oppose Ordinance 24-05
Dear Commissioners,
I strongly oppose Ordinance 24-05 because it removes critical public oversight from the process of approving Conditional Use Permits. These decisions impact all of us, and citizens must retain the right to challenge them through a referendum. This ordinance concentrates power in the hands of a single board and silences the voice of the community.
I urge you to vote NO on Ordinance 24-05 and preserve the rights of Lawrence County residents to participate in our local government.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

​Hello!

I'm Victoria Greenlee, and I am excited to announce my candidacy as an Independent for the South Dakota House of Representatives, Lawrence County District 31.
A little about me: I graduated from Spearfish High School and went on to earn degrees in English and Economics from Randolph Macon College in Virginia. My career has been diverse; I worked in advertising and finance in England and New York before returning to school to earn a teaching certificate. For over 20 years, I dedicated myself to teaching, a career that has shaped my understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our community. Today, I live in Spearfish, caring for my father and I'm deeply invested in the future of our Black Hills region.

I am running for office because there are critical issues at stake in our state that impact the quality of life for all residents. These issues transcend party lines. I am committed to providing a strong, independent voice for the voters of District 31.

My core issues include:
- Restoring and protecting a woman’s right to make her own choices regarding healthcare and reproduction
- Strong support for education
- Protecting our environment

These are issues that affect every one of us, and I believe the people of Lawrence County deserve a representative who will approach them with integrity.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months and hearing your thoughts and concerns. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for Lawrence County.
Thank you for your support!

Best regards, 
Victoria Greenlee

www.Victoria4House.com
www.facebook.com/Victoria4House
www.instagram.com/victoria4house
secure.actblue.com/donate/greenlee-for-house-district-31-1

The Lawrence County Democratic Party is pleased to announce our overwhelming support for Amendment G, a critical ballot measure aimed at restoring and safeguarding abortion access in South Dakota. This November, South Dakota voters will have the opportunity to vote on this vital amendment, joining four other states with similar initiatives on their ballots.

Amendment G, also known as the Roe v. Wade or the Abortion Rights Amendment, seeks to modify current South Dakota law by allowing abortions in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks) and to preserve the health and life of the mother up to 24 weeks, the gestational viability stage. In the third trimester, abortions would be legal only to save the mother’s life.

Passage of Amendment G would also enable healthcare providers to manage pregnancy complications safely, restoring the standard of care that existed before South Dakota’s 2005 trigger law took effect in 2022 when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Presently, any person assisting or procuring an abortion in South Dakota is committing a Class 6 Felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine. Although no one has been prosecuted under this statute, it has severely restricted not only abortion access but also physicians' ability to manage pregnancy complications, exacerbating the state’s shortage of obstetricians.

Statistics underscore the importance of this amendment:

• 93% of abortions occur in the first trimester, with half being medication abortions.
  
• 99.5% of abortions occur before 24 weeks.
  
• Third-trimester abortions are extremely rare and, with the passage of Amendment G, would be permitted only to save the life of the mother. In cases of third-trimester complications where the baby can survive outside the womb, the baby would be delivered and cared for.
  

South Dakota is one of five states with abortion initiatives on the ballot this November, alongside Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and Nevada. Notably, since 2022, voters in seven states (California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, and Vermont) have all voted in favor of abortion access.

Historically, South Dakotans have shown strong support for women’s reproductive rights. In 2006, voters rejected a total abortion ban initiative with a 55% to 44% vote, and in 2008, a ban except in cases of incest and rape was similarly rejected by the same margin.

By supporting Amendment G, South Dakotans can return our state to a place where women can have safe and private reproductive healthcare. We encourage everyone to get out and vote this November – together, we can achieve this!

​