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.
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. 25
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.
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.
DEADWOOD
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 10 a.m. March 1
Where: Deadwood Gulch, 304 Cliff St.
Host: Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce
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
SIOUX FALLS
Sioux Falls Area Legislative Coffee #1
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 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 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
- District 9 Legislators are Joy Hohn-Senate, Tesa Schwans-House, and Bethany Soye-House. (Rep. Schwans has switched dates to Feb. 22nd.)
- District 10 Legislators are Liz Larson-Senate, Bobbi Andera-House, and Erin Healy-House. (Rep. Andera is remaining in Pierre throughout the session, so will be unavailable to participate.)
- District 11 Legislators are Chris Karr-Senate, Brian Mulder-House, and Keri Weems-House.
Sioux Falls Area Legislative Coffee #1
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 8
Where: HUB Auditorium at Southeast Technical College, 2001 N. Career Ave., Sioux Falls
Host: Sioux Falls League of Women Voters
Details: Legislators from Districts 12 & 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
- District 12 Legislators are Arch Beal-Senate, Amber Arlint-House, and Greg Jamison-House.
- District 14 Legislators are Larry Zikmund-Senate, Tony Kayser-House, Taylor Rehfeldt-House.
Sioux Falls Area Legislative Coffee #3
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
- District 13 Legislators are Sue Peterson-Senate, John Hughes-House, Tony Venhuizen-House
- District 15 Legislators are Jamie Smith-Senate, Erik Muckey-House, Kadyn Wittman-House
- In addition, Rep. Tesa Schwans of District 9 will participate on Feb. 22.
SPEARFISH
Legislative Cracker Barrel
When: 10 a.m., Feb. 8
Where: To be announced
Host: Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce
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.