Our first order of business:

As the local Democratic Party organization, our first and main job is to get people elected to local and state offices: State Legislature, city, school board and county commission. We also take part in electing Democrats to statewide offices: US Senate and Congress, governor etc. 

There will be races this year and next. The outcomes affect all of us, from taxes to abortion laws to quality education.

Candidates will need your volunteer help and your donations.

Give to the party. The more money we have, the more we can help candidates.

Think about running for these offices yourself. Help other candidates.

Keep our state legislature accountable:

Lawmakers need to know what we think, whether the Legislature is in session or not. Remind them that they represent YOU. 

If you don't know who your legislators are, you can find out here.

During the session, All the bills are listed here.

At MyLRC, you can register and follow the progress of the bills you're interested in.

Write and call your US legislators:

 We have three legislators who need to be reminded of their responsibilities and their place in history. They need to put the country above party and ambition. If there was ever a time to stand up for principles, this is it. Below are their contacts.

 Be courteous. Be professional. Identify yourself as a constituent and a voter. Know what you are talking about. If you call, know what you are going to say beforehand. Be concise, clear and specific.  

Sen. John Thune

Email: https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Phone: (202) 224-2321

Toll-Free: 1-866-850-3855

Address: United States Senate SD-511, Washington, DC 20510

Rapid City Office:

246 Founders Park Drive Suite 102, Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone: (605) 348-7551

Sen. Mike Rounds

Email: https://www.rounds.senate.gov/contact/email-mike

Phone: 202-224-5842

Address: 716 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Rapid City Office:

603 Omaha Street Suite 100, Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone: (605) 343-5035

Rep. Dusty Johnson

Email: https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact/email-me

Phone: (202) 225-2801

Address: 1714 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC, 20515

Rapid City Office:

2525 W Main Street Suite 310, Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone: (605) 646-6454

Push back against would-be authoritarians:

Given the political crisis we find ourselves in on the national stage, many people want to know what they can do to fight back.

We as a party don't often organize protests, boycotts etc., but we try to be on top of what's going on and pass that on to others. If your friends feel the way you do, pass our website and newsletters along to them. Follow our social media for the most current information.

To help keep you in tune with the actions out there, here are some organizations that put people on the street.

Indivisible: Here you can find hundreds of ways to get involved. You can also make local connections.

Fiftyfifty.one: This site is focused on protests. Find one near you, or organize with its guidance.

5 Calls: This site helps you make calls to your legislators and other elected officials.

Americans of Conscience: One user says, "This checklist directs your negative energy and anxiety into concrete actions that are meaningful and often kind. It makes me hopeful in a time of uncertainty."

Theblop.org: The Big List Of Protests can be filtered by state.

Consider donating to groups who fight in the courts, such as the ACLU.

If you know of some actions taking place, please let us know. Email us at: Hello@PenningtonCountyDemocrats.org

Other ways to build Democracy:

1. There are city, county and state committees and boards where you can use your expertise. They can also be a stepping stone to later elected office.

2. Give money. (Click donate button at bottom of page.) Or host a fundraiser and bring in more money than you can afford by yourself.

3. Get involved in your local party organization. Be a precinct or district chair. Run for a county party officer position. Speaking of chairs, set up chairs. Bring food. Clean up. Organize events. Share your skills. Be part of the community.

4. Join us on social media and share our email. Help spread the word. Share our posts.

5. Engage with voters by circulating petitions, knocking on doors, and making phone calls. Many campaigns fall short of volunteers to carry out these essential tasks. Whatever else you do as a volunteer, please be ready to do this, too.

Click on the volunteer button below to get started.