What happens when one party runs the show
South Dakota selects its leaders through a process that is exclusive, outdated, and increasingly undemocratic. It emerged during a time when two competitive parties offered real choices and broad participation. That system no longer exists, but the same rules remain.
Today, the Republican primary is the only election that consistently matters. Candidates who win in June almost always win in November, often facing little or no meaningful opposition. Democrats and Libertarians struggle to recruit candidates, and when they do, those candidates rarely have a viable path to victory. The last Democrat to serve as governor did so during the Jimmy Carter presidency.
As a result, roughly half of South Dakota voters effectively decide nearly all statewide and legislative offices. The other half are left on the sidelines; disengaged, frustrated, and underrepresented.
Meanwhile, the state’s fastest-growing group is independent voters. They are over a quarter of all registered voters in the state. Many younger voters never affiliate with a party. Others, disillusioned with politics, abandon party labels altogether. In South Dakota, many independents lean conservative, but as a group they are diverse, unorganized, and lack the structure needed to compete in a primary-driven system. This is not what the Founding Fathers had in mind.
Despite these realities, there is little momentum for change. Republicans benefit from the current structure and have no incentive to alter it. Some Democrats continue to hope for a resurgence that has not materialized. Independent voters, lacking a clear path to influence, often disengage entirely.
Reforms such as reducing the power of the parties with open primaries could restore broader participation and make elections more competitive. Without change, South Dakota maintains a system that favors one group over others, limits voter voice and weakens accountability. A healthy democracy depends on meaningful participation by all voters. Our current system falls short of that standard.
So what do you suggest we do, Joe?
It’s no secret Republicans control SD government. There will eventually be enough Independents to give Democrats and Non-Partisans a voice. Meanwhile, freedom of speech and rule of law hardly matter. For now, we need to know if Trump pics and signature can be redacted on hundred dollar bills. It’s not easy to cash and carry fifties.
“Without change” is key here. Until there is change voters that switch to “I” from “R” have almost no voice in elections. There is a push to move those conservative “I’s” back to “R’s” so that the more extreme faction of the party doesn’t control the outcome of the primary and thus the general election. If you are a registered Independent that left the Republican party I invite you to consider coming back so that you can have a voice during the primary on June 2.
A sad state of affairs in our great state
Your perceptive and accurate observations are, alas, not those of a jester on April Fool’s Day. We are witnessing an evolutionary corrosion of our culture which features the increasing influence of so-called “artificial intelligence” which apparently is too much verbiage, resulting in the common use of “A-I.” A healthy republic depends upon an informed and literate population as well as participation. We indeed are falling short of that standard.
Joe, it’s always the same old tune with your side. If we can’t compete, change the rules so we can . Could it be, the left is incorrect in their beliefs. I think it is that simple.
“My side” is traditional conservative. I believe in concepts like one man, one vote and equal voice for all. “Conservatives” who revel in the unfairness of the current system would sing a different tune if they had no voice in electing their representatives and leaders.
As both parties veer to the edges a third party is certain to emerge. That will be led by a known person with enough capital (reputation and cash) to make a dent.
Can you think of anyone like that? …Joe..?
I am a proud conservative South Dakota Republican. I value living and raising my family in a state that has consistently rejected Democratic policies and far-left agendas.
South Dakota represents common sense, personal responsibility, and limited government—principles that I believe have helped our state thrive. Are we perfect, no. Do we have challenges, yes. Will sun rise tommorow, yes it will.
If I wanted to live under the policies and culture of a more left-leaning state, I would simply move somewhere like Minnesota. But I don’t—because I believe South Dakota is doing many things right.
Jeff, you should write a book about it, you seem so wise on the matter. Good Grief. Both sides of my family were homesteaders in SD, not a single one of them would stoop to the Republican label. Extremely proud Democrats. While South Dakotans may have ‘personal’ conservative values, it does not flow over into their politics. When people say most South Dakotans are conservative, I just laugh. I would say that is 100% true about our legislature, most common South Dakotans are moderates, they have just been blinded so long by the SD GOP BS they just give up.