The People Rule

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The People Rule

By: Governor Larry Rhoden

May 29, 2026

"Under God, the People Rule" is much more than a slogan in South Dakota. It's how our government operates. Here, we serve people and protect their freedoms. And South Dakota has become a beacon to the nation of what's possible when we trust the people to exercise their own freedom and personal responsibility.

South Dakota is the freest state in America, and we're keeping it that way.

But as President Reagan famously said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." The men and women in uniform sign up to serve and protect our freedoms abroad, but it is just as much the responsibility of each and every American citizen to protect those freedoms here at home.

Elections are how we do that.

The people rule, but our Founding Fathers wisely created a system where not every person has to vote on every issue. Instead, we choose elected representatives from among us to serve on our behalf and represent our interests.

I think South Dakota does representative government especially well. Here, we truly have a citizen legislature. Every two years, citizens in 35 different districts across the state choose the people who they believe will best represent them in Pierre. Those representatives serve for a short period of time each year - less than 40 days. And at the end of session, they have to go home and live with the laws they passed. If there's anything that needs fixing, they come back next year and fix it.

Beyond that, every bill that a legislator introduces gets a hearing, and every bill that passes committee gets a floor vote. That's out of respect for the rule of the people. If the people's elected representative has an idea to make South Dakota better for their constituents, then that idea deserves a fair opportunity for public feedback.

I served under that system for 16 years in the Legislature, and it's a good one. I've often bragged about it to folks in other states where the legislative process doesn't work nearly so well. But here's the secret sauce: South Dakota's people. Our people are pretty special. They see through the fog better than in most other places. And they remain engaged with their government. That's the only way that "Under God, the People Rule" can continue to work in practice - and that we can pass freedom down to the next generation.

South Dakota's primary elections are on June 2. If you're reading this in your local newspaper, they may have already taken place! But regardless of the outcome, it is incumbent on all of us as citizens - and on each of the elected leaders who we choose to govern on our behalf - to wake up the morning after election day and continue to defend our freedoms.

If we do that, then "Under God, the People Rule" will remain true for our kids and grandkids - and for generations after them.

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