Journal editorial: Voter effort is key to clear understanding of what’s on the ballot
Here we are just days away from the 2024 General Election, and it’s clear that many voters still have little to no idea about the Initiated Measures, Constitutional Amendments and Referred Law that they will be voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“I have no idea what IM 28 is about,” was a comment referenced at last week’s Issues Management meeting. Issues Management is one of a variety of committees that Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce members – and the public – are encouraged to attend. These meetings – always held at 8 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Chamber office – is simply a discussion of items of importance happening in the city, in our school district, the county and the state.
Over the course of the past several issues, the Brandon Valley Journal has highlighted each of the ballot measures. Many other news outlets have done the same. It is our hope that you’ve gained better knowledge of what passage or defeat of each of the Initiated Measures and Constitutional Amendments through these reports. Thirty-second TV commercials do not present the facts. They simply were created to “sway” voters to align with the proponent or the opponent of the issue at hand, and the pocketbook behind these commercials.
On Nov 5, South Dakota voters will decide the fate of four Constitutional Amendments, two Initiated Measures and one Referred Law.
It is also our hope that voters will go to the polls armed with similar knowledge on the candidates who will represent us in Washington, D.C., Pierre, Minnehaha County and in District 2, which encompasses the communities of Brandon, Valley Springs and eastern Sioux Falls.
In some cases, as they say, ignorance is bliss. But when it comes to stepping into the voting booth, ignorance can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Voters, need to be informed when casting your ballot next week. The information is out there. It’s simply up to each of us to take the initiative to learn the pros and cons, and what it means to the future for our communities and schools, to our neighbors, to our county, our state and our nation.
