Checking in with voters as the election nears

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) –  We are now less than a week away from the 2024 General Election when thousands of South Dakotans will make their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them.

Ahead of November 5th, we wanted to check in with voters about how they’re feeling this election cycle and their hopes for the future.

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From the wide open prairie to the city streets, it’s hard to forget there’s an election coming up in between all of the signs and flags. For many, election years can can be exhausting.

“There’s a lot of controversy, I would say, and a lot of divisiveness, which I’m not a big fan of so I’ve kind of avoided a lot of that,” Elicia Madetske from Sioux Falls said.

“I’ll be happy when it’s over,” Richard Schaefer from Marion said.

“Honestly, I guess I’m just ready for it to be done,” Selena Gonzales from Sioux Falls said. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs for it and I’m kind of also just curious to see how it’s going to play out.”

Still, they know the importance of making their voices heard and being informed when when filling out their ballots.

Be informed on the seven 2024 ballot measures

Amendment E

Amendment F

Amendment G

Amendment H

IM 28

IM 29

Referred Law 21

“Obviously a lot of, you know, divisions about things but that’s the way it’s supposed to be in a democracy. Everybody is supposed to have an idea,” Larry Marso from Marion said.

“Vote. We matter,” Aubreanna Rodriguez from Sioux Falls said.

“Check out the issues. Check out more than one source for your information,” Curtis Schaefer from Sioux Falls said.

And everybody has issues that are top of mind for them when deciding how to vote.

“I know with COVID, I mean, we’re still dealing with stuff from COVID and I know it was a long time ago but I know the economy is still dealing with repercussions of that,” Gavin Tehark from Brandon said. “So just continuing to navigate that situation. I would like to see some more border security.”

“Obviously the economy is always a big deal, you know,” Marso said. “I’m retired so it’s always a pain, you know, to have to increase cost of everything and not get a raise anymore or go back to work.”

“Women’s health, reproductive rights. Climate change I’m concerned about, stuff like that,” Ryan Wellman from Sioux Falls said.

“The border, the economy, abortion, second amendment, first amendment, there’s a lot,” Curtis Schaefer said.

“Definitely the big thing is women’s rights overall, especially when it comes to the form of children and stuff,” Rodriguez said. “I am pregnant right now so definitely looking at things like that, that’s been my biggest aspect.”

“We need housing, we need food, we need clothing, we need, you know, education and if somebody is focused on those things, that’s what I’m focused on too,” Madetske said.

Despite the many differing views these topics get, many voters hope for less divisiveness as we move beyond November 5th.

“I just hope that we can all be happy and everyone can, you know, I don’t know, have more money in their pockets and be happier and, you know, less division and everything is fair and safe,” Tehark said.

“I just hope that we can all find some peace again and that we don’t all continue to argue and feel negatively towards each other,” Gonzales said. “It’d be nice to kind of just have respectful boundaries again.”

“Hopefully when this is all over we can all be friends,” Richard Schaefer said.

“My hope for America is that we can become more per say bi-partisan, you know,” Marso said. “Let’s work with each other about things. You know, the thing is if we’ve got a problem, let’s just fix it. Let’s not worry about what party we’re affiliated with.”