Attending a legislative coffee or cracker barrel is a great way to get involved in your community and show South Dakota’s lawmakers you’re paying attention. Don’t miss your chance to hear your elected officials' views on topics that matter most to you and your community. Note: Times listed are local times.
If you know of a coffee or cracker barrel not listed, please email us at southdakota@aclu.org and we’ll add it to the list.
ABERDEEN
Legislative Coffees
When: 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 25
10 a.m. to noon, Feb. 8
10 a.m. to noon, Feb. 22
Where: Kessler’s Champions Club, Barnett Center 2nd Floor, Northern State University, 15th Ave. SE
Host: Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce
Details: Dakota Broadcasting will be livestreaming each legislative coffee.
BELLE FOURCHE
Legislative Cracker Barrel:
When: 1 p.m., Jan. 25
Where: Branding Iron Steak House, 19079 US-85
Host: Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce
BRANDON
District 2 Legislative Coffee
When: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Feb. 8
Where: Bethany Meadows Community Room, 3008 E. Aspen Blvd.
Host: Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce
Details: Doors open at 9 a.m. Livestream and questions will begin at 9:30 a.m. Questions accepted from in-person attendees; may also be pre-submitted to admin@brandonvalleychamber.com, but submitting a question does not guarantee that it will be asked. The event will be livestreamed on the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
BROOKINGS
District 7 Legislative Coffee
When: 9 a.m., Feb. 1
Where: City-County Government Center, 530 3rd St., third floor chambers
Host: Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee
Details: District 7 legislators include Rep. Mellissa Heermann, Rep. Roger DeGroot), and Sen. Tim Reed. If you have questions for legislators, email them to info@brookingschamber.org.
District 7 and 8 Legislative Coffee
When: 9 a.m., Feb. 22
Where: City-County Government Center, 530 3rd St., third floor chambers
Host: Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee
Details: District 7 legislators include Rep. Mellissa Heermann, Rep. Roger DeGroot, and Sen. Tim Reed. District 8 legislators include Senate Majority Leader Sen. Casey Crabtree, Rep. Tim Reisch, and Rep. John Mills. If you have questions for legislators, email them to info@brookingschamber.org.
CANTON
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 12 p.m., Feb. 1
Where: TBD
Chamberlain
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 1
Where: Chamberlain Community Center on Main Street
Host: Chamberlain Chamber of Commerce
Clear Lake
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 9 a.m., Jan. 25
Where: Clear Lake Municipal Building
DEADWOOD
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 10 a.m., March 1
Where: Deadwood Gulch, 304 Cliff St.
Host: Deadwood Area Chamber of Commerce
HIGHMORE
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 9:30 a.m., Jan. 25
Where: West Wing of the Hyde County Auditorium
HURON
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 9 a.m., Feb. 1
9 a.m., Feb. 22
9 a.m., March 8
Where: Huron City Hall
Host: AARP, South Dakota Farmers Union and Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau
MITCHELL
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 8 a.m., Jan. 31
Where: Chamber of Commerce Building
Host: Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce
NEWELL
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 9:30 a.m., Jan. 25
Where: Newell City Hall, 108 3rd St.
ONIDA
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 1 p.m., Jan. 31
Where: Sully Area Library, 500 S Eight St.
Host: Onida Chamber of Commerce
PIEDMONT (FOOTHILLS AREA)
Legislative Cracker Barrel:
When: 2 to 4:30 p.m., Feb. 15
Where: Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311, 101 Pine St. (hybrid format might be offered)
Host: Prairie Hills Audubon Society, the American Legion Post 311, & Dakota Rural Action (Black Hills Chapter)
Details: Legislators from Districts 29 and 33 have been invited and all six are expected to attend. There will be a 20- to 25-minute break in the middle of two sessions of Q&A. A hybrid/Zoom option will be available. The Zoom link will be provided after registration.
PIERRE
Legislative Coffee
When: 10 to 11 a.m., Feb. 1
Where: Chamber of Commerce Community Room, 800 W. Dakota Ave.
Host: Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce
RAPID CITY
Legislative Cracker Barrels
When: 9 to 10 a.m., Feb. 1
9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 15
9 to 10 a.m., March 8
Where: Western Dakota Technical College Event Center, 800 Mickelson Dr.
Host: Elevate Rapid City
REDFIELD
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 1 p.m., Feb. 17
Where: C&NW Historic Railroad Depot
SELBY
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 8
Where: Selby Community Center
SIOUX FALLS
Sioux Falls Area Legislative Coffee
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 22
Where: HUB Auditorium at Southeast Technical College, 2001 N. Career Ave., Sioux Falls
Host: Sioux Falls League of Women Voters
Details: Legislators from Districts 13 & 15 have been invited to participate in a moderated Question & Answer session with constituents. There will be coffee and water in the lobby available at 9:30 a.m. You may submit questions on-site or by emailing SiouxFallsLWV@gmail.com
Sioux Falls Area Legislative Coffee
When: 10 a.m., March 1
Where: HUB Auditorium at Southeast Technical College, 2001 N. Career Ave., Sioux Falls
Host: Sioux Falls League of Women Voters
Details: Legislators from districts 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 have been invited to participate in a moderated Question & Answer session with constituents. There will be coffee and water in the lobby available at 9:30 a.m. You may submit questions on-site or by emailing SiouxFallsLWV@gmail.com
SPEARFISH
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 8
Where: To be announced
Host: Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce
STURGIS
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 9 to 11 a.m., Feb 1
9 to 11 a.m., March 1
Where: Erskine Building (Meade County Office Building), 1300 Sherman St.
Host: Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Organizes this event
VERMILLION
Legislative Coffees
When: 9 to 11 a.m., Feb. 15
9 to 11 a.m., March 1
Where: City Hall
Host: Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company
WATERTOWN
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 9 a.m., Feb. 15
Where: Codington County Extension Complex
YANKTON
Legislative Cracker Barrels
When: 10 a.m., Jan. 18
10 a.m., Feb. 22
10 a.m., March 15
Where: City Commission Room at CMTEA, 1200 W. 21st St. (Enter through the west door.)
Host: Yankton Thrive
Details: This is a facilitated event with a moderator. Questions may be submitted prior to each event to thrive@yanktonsd.com or by calling Yankton Thrive prior to the event at 605-665-3636. Questions may also be submitted during the event. Events will also be livestreamed on the Yankton Thrive Facebook page.
Note: The organizations hosting these legislative coffees and cracker barrels are not affiliated in any way with the ACLU of South Dakota or the ACLU National Office.