By Dean Krogman, ICBSD Lobbyist

With the recent primary elections taking place, the campaign trails are heating up. Everywhere you turn, voters are being exposed to information from political candidates- from TV to literature in the mail, social media posts and even phone calls. I encourage you to capitalize on this time and engage with your candidates. For those of you wondering where to start, here are some tips:

1. Find out who your candidates are. For a complete list, visit the Secretary of State website: https://vip.sdsos.gov/CandidateList.aspx?eid=291. I encourage you to schedule face time with your candidate, even if just for ten minutes.
2. Candidates want your vote, make them work for it! Ask to speak to the candidate, or their representative. Introduce yourself and tell them what you do, not just want you want. If candidates understand and appreciate what you do, they’re far more likely to listen to you when you want to influence them.
3. Attend campaigns events. Attending campaign events and town halls and other stops candidates may be making in your area are other great ways to interact and get facetime.
4. Know the issues. There are several ballot issues you’ve probably heard about. Initiated Measure 25 is one example. A “yes” vote supports increasing the tax on cigarettes from about to $2.53 per pack of 20 cigarettes and increasing the tax on wholesale tobacco products from 25 to 55 percent, with a portion of tobacco tax revenue dedicated to technical institutes. A “no” opposes increasing the tax on cigarettes from $1.53 per pack of 20 cigarettes to $2.53 per pack of 20 cigarettes and increasing that tax on wholesale tobacco products from 25 to 55 percent, with a portion of tobacco tax revenue dedicated to technical institutes. You can learn more about this issue, and many more, by visiting the Secretary of State website: https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/

As your lobbyist, we will be participating in certain legislative races on behalf of the PAC. If you have specific questions, recommendations, or would like to get involved, please contact myself at 605-695-3497 or Megan at 605-886-3040.