Four South Dakota nonprofits are trying to increase civic engagement and media literacy through in-person and televised events ahead of the 2026 elections.
South Dakota News Watch and South Dakota Public Broadcasting partnered to begin the effort in 2024. The Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota and League of Women Voters of South Dakota have joined.
Alexander Rifaat
The series of free town halls, discussions and community gatherings provide South Dakotans with information about the political process and what’s on the ballot and help them identify credible media sources so they can be informed.
Upcoming events
Here are upcoming events, which will be updated as they're scheduled:
- "250+ Years of American Civics and Media:" 2-3 p.m. MT Saturday, March 21, Rapid City Public Library (610 Quincy St.). As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, a look at the role civics and the media played in the nation's history, their relationship to each other and the purpose they still play today. Kathy Johnson, president-elect of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota, and Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch, will lead this interactive presentation that examines the branches of government and the media’s role in providing information necessary for participating in our democracy.
- "Democratic U.S. House Candidate Forum:" 8 p.m. CT Monday, April 6, televised live from SDPB in Sioux Falls.
- "Republican U.S. House Candidate Forum:" 8 p.m. CT Thursday, April 9, televised live from SDPB in Sioux Falls.
- "Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Forum:" 8 p.m. CT Monday, April 13, televised live from SDPB in Sioux Falls.
- "Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Forum:" 8 p.m. CT Thursday, April 16, televised live from SDPB in Sioux Falls.
- Live televised forums on SDPB in September before early voting begins for the general election.
Past events
Here are some of the events that have been held and, when available, how to view them:
- Presentation and Q&A on the changing landscape of civics and media: On Jan. 21 at the Yankton Community Library, Doug Haar, Yankton High School government teacher, and Carson Walker, CEO of South Dakota News Watch, showed how the nation's founders intended for the three branches of government and a free press to keep elected leaders accountable to the people.
- "Accessing South Dakota Courts:" On Oct. 10 in person at SDPB in Sioux Falls and Rapid City and live online at sd.net, Unified Judicial System staff explained how the state court system works and how journalists and members of the public can access court documents and attend hearings. The participants included Seventh Circuit Presiding Judge Robert Gusinsky, who was just appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court; Pennington County clerk of court Amber Watkins; Second Circuit Judge Jon C. Sogn; Second Circuit court administrator Karl Thoennes; and UJS public information officer Alisa Bousa. The South Dakota Bar Foundation co-sponsors this twice-annual training. Watch the entire session on SDPB's YouTube channel, where previous training sessions are archived.
- "Separation of Powers Town Hall:" On Sept. 18 at the Capitol rotunda in Pierre, representatives from each branch of South Dakota's state government told an in-person and televised audience how they keep each other in check. It included Gov. Larry Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen; Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen and Justice Patricia DeVaney; Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach of Spearfish, House majority leader, Republican Sen. Carl Perry of Aberdeen, Senate assistant majority leader, Democratic Rep. Erik Muckey of Sioux Falls and Democratic Sen. Jamie Smith of Sioux Falls, assistant minority leader. The 90-minute program can be viewed on the YouTube channel for SDPB.
Civic duties and responsibilities
As statewide nonprofits, SDNW and SDPB devote many of their newsgathering resources to covering government and politics and ensuring voters have the fact-based information they need to make informed choices.
Being informed and understanding government are among the basic civic duties and responsibilities of living in a democracy, said Julia Hellwege, director of the Chiesman Center and USD associate professor in political science.
"The more all of us all are engaged and informed, the more opportunity we have to be involved in the decision-making process," she said. "Otherwise we’re letting politics happen to us. If we’re concerned about the things happening to us, the best thing to do is to be involved in the process."
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Chiesman and South Dakota News Watch co-sponsor scientific polls twice a year. Chiesman also financially supports efforts like the civics and media series as part of its mission to promote civic education and civic engagement, Hellwege said.
Members of the League of Women Voters, who belong to both major parties, will answer questions about the political process and help people register to vote at many of the events.
"The League strives to educate the public on issues of importance to our democracy. And our purpose with this partnership is to start a conversation about the importance of a free press and how it affects our civic life," said Amy Scott-Stoltz, president of the League of Women Voters of South Dakota.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, donate and subscribe for free at sdnewswatch.org. Contact CEO Carson Walker: 605-610-9366/carson.walker@sdnewswatch.org.
