Tuesday is election day, and it's important to make sure every voice is heard at the ballot box.
That includes Native voices, who voting advocates say are often disenfranchised from the polls.
The COUP Council, a Rapid City indigenous organization, held a town hall to discuss the importance of getting indigenous peoples to the ballot box.
After a successful campaign season signing people up, He Sapa director of voter organization Jean Roach said it’s a challenge to encourage people to participate for many reasons.
“Let’s do this," Roach said. "People have a voice, and they need to understand that we can make a difference. A lot of people are like ‘oh, I don’t think so,’ but just telling them that their vote can be more of a bigger picture in the end. An invocation."
Roach said housing, policing, and representation are among the most important issues facing the local community this election season.
She added these issues can be addressed, along with increased representation in the capitol, if people recognize the influence they hold.
“People don’t realize how powerful we really are," Roach said. "We need to unite, and by voting that’s one step toward making a difference in our own lives. People really don’t see it, but we encourage it because maybe we’re going to have a candidate up there and we can make a difference. So, we want to make some changes. Really big ones.”
Polling location hours can be found at the Secretary of State website.