Press Releases

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, the ACLU of South Dakota believes in keeping the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged. For media inquiries, email [email protected].

Nov 4, 2024

ACLU Prepared to Respond Immediately to Any Election Day Voting Rights Violations

Trained election observers will be monitoring polling locations in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Aberdeen to watch for any issues that would disenfranchise voters, including questions about individual voter eligibility and mass challenges to absentee ballots.  
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Oct 15, 2024

ACLU Responds to Noem’s Comments in Gender-Affirming Care Amicus Brief

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is erroneously claiming that the federal government is “forcing states to perform harmful, irreversible, and unscientific medical procedures on children."
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Oct 15, 2024

ACLU Appoints Libby Skarin as Executive Director of Dakotas and Wyoming Chapter

As executive director, Skarin will oversee chapter operations and lead efforts to ensure the work of the ACLU is well-supported, coordinated and aligned with its strategic plan to further advance civil liberties in South Dakota.
Oct 11, 2024

Em Powers Joins ACLU of South Dakota as Communications Intern

As an intern, Powers will develop substantive skills and professional experience through on-the-job learning and will work alongside ACLU communications staff to help execute the ACLU’s storytelling and social media objectives
Oct 8, 2024

ACLU of South Dakota Demands Immediate Reinstatement of Voters Purged from Registration Rolls

Voter purge violates National Voter Registration Act. Swift action is needed to ensure no eligible voters are disenfranchised.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights
Sep 3, 2024

Civil Rights Groups Tell Federal Appeals Court that Protections for Pregnant Workers Cover Abortion Care

The amicus brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit supports the EEOC in a challenge by 17 red states that are trying to block the PWFA regulations’ coverage of accommodations for abortion-related care.
Issue Areas: Women's Rights
Aug 23, 2024

ACLU Urges Eighth Circuit to Protect Students' Right to Learn about Race in School

The courts must safeguard classroom discussions against political censorship
Issue Areas: Free Speech
Jul 12, 2024

South Dakota Joins Lawsuit Challenging Transgender Health Care Protections; ACLU Comments

This case isn’t just about enforcing South Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care. It’s about the harmful rhetoric surrounding the question of whether providers should be allowed to discriminate against a broader group of people, including trans adults.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Jun 24, 2024

Rejecting Ballots in Minnehaha County Based on Mass Eligibility Challenges to Voters’ Residency Status is Unlawful, ACLU Says

The ACLU of South Dakota urges the Minnehaha County Recount Board to count all unlawfully rejected ballots and asks that no voters will be removed from the voter registration rolls based on these challenges and that no improper challenges will be entertained during the Nov. 5 general election.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights