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Election Season: Using our Voices and Votes

Monday, 25 February 2008 14:57

One of the five core goals upon which EqSD was founded was to put LGBT and allied candidates in office. We know the case for equal rights will be furthered when committed and qualified openly LGBT individuals are integrated into policymaking bodies.

According to the Victory Fund there are more than 370 openly LGBT elected officials now in office – within 43 states. That number has grown 700% since 1990. Roughly 22% of all Americans were represented by an openly LGBT elected official in 2007.

How does South Dakota rank?

South Dakota is one of only 7 states with no openly LGTB elected official at any level of government. The others are: Alaska, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. We can change that! We can join the majority of fair-minded states.

Here are 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: Please consider running for office! Really! And contact the EqSD PAC for support. The deadline for declaring your candidacy is March 25!

Step 2: Register to vote! If you are 18 or older, do it! It’s easy. For info: Register to Vote

• To be eligible to vote in the general election on Nov 4, you must be registered by Oct. 20.

Step 3: Vote for candidates who share our vision of a SD where LGBT people have basic equal rights and can live safely, honestly and openly at work, at home and in the community. (Look for endorsements on the EqSD PAC web site.)