Dem registration drive helps drop Dem registration by 5390

Pat Powers

The South Dakota Democrat website Sioux Falls Drinking Liberally pointed out Democrats held a registration drive this summer. And, it didn’t turn out so well for them:

In South Dakota: The results of the South Dakota Democratic Party’s (SDDP) Summer of 2017 voter registration drive are in and they are not good. Over the three months of the SDDP’s registration drive, statewide Democratic registration declined by 5390 voters.

In fairness to the SDDP, counties throughout South Dakota appear to have updated their voter registration lists and expunged registrants who had not voted recently. Every party experienced registration declines this summer. Republican registration fell by 5081, Independents by 1811, and Libertarians by 25. Still, Democratic registration fell the most. As unlikely as it is, the SDDP’s leadership and staff might want to reevaluate their approach to voter registration…… just saying.

Read it all here.

As noted, this came about during the regular maintenance the Secretary of State does to remove the dead and inactive.

There used to be a written timeline that was suggested by NCSL as a model for other states under the prior Secretary of State, but that’s been purged from the website. If memory serves, they’re not bounced from the website unless they haven’t voted in 7 years, and fail to answer a postcard asking about their status, so the allowances for remaining active are pretty generous.

In other words, if Democrats are getting dropped from voter rolls in these kind of numbers, they have not been active for a long, long time. which would also seem to coincide with the downturn of the Democrat party in the state, and their fascination with Ballot measures, versus actually acting like a political party.

They reap what they sow, and what Dems have sown are a lot of defections from their voter base, which should continue to contribute to GOP victories for years to come.

52 thoughts on “Dem registration drive helps drop Dem registration by 5390”

  1. Democrats might have fell the most, but since there are substantially more Republicans in South Dakota than Democrats, and the number of Democrats that have fallen is only 309 more than the number of Republicans that have fallen, then isn’t the Republican drop even greater on a percentage basis?……. Welcome to the “Spin Zone”…….. 😉

    1. What? Not at all.

      Check your math. If both dropped an equal amount, and there are half to 2/3 again as many more Republicans, A far greater percentage of Democrats left the party.

      1. Hahahahaha….. I knew that comment would get you guys going…. Just checking to see if you are all awake….. 😉 Hahahahahaha……. You guys are fun…….

    2. EC,

      What would you attribute the steady decline and if not THE all time low for the SDDP it is one of the worst?

      What do you feel hurts and what bright spots do you see for potential to be an actual main and competitive opposition party we would ALL benefit from?

      1. Honestly, I think it is the race issue. The Republican Party has always been the “white people’s party,” but even more so in recent years and that mentality I am afraid is growing…. This reality also explains Trump’s rather high popularity in rural America in the last election… The GOP has become the safe haven for whites….

        1. And to answer your second question. I don’t have an answer for it. It is a national phenomenon, racial politics that is, and it is growing in tensity I am afraid, and has been exacerbated by Trump’s rhetoric… And this growth in most cases will be to the detriment of any blue traction in a red region, I am afraid….

        2. EC – Some interesting comments you’ve decided to grace the blog with;) You are wrong about the “white people’s party”, but it seems you’re just trying to poke the bear.

          Let me help clear the fog MSM keeps you in. I’d like to introduce you to some fine African Americans that have, let’s say…left the plantation:

          Red Pill Black. Diamond and Silk. Tommy Sotomayor. Lawerence Jones. Ben Carson. Colion Noir. Black communities are wising up to the empty promises Democrats have been making for years, the word is undeniably spreading.

          I bet it’s hard to find a place to fit in with the party. Democrats have such high demands and if people don’t meet their expectations or if they step out of line…you are a racist and must be discarded.

          1. Speaking of plantations, wasn’t it Ben Carson who recently called slaves immigrants, who dreamed of a better future or something like that as they crossed the Atlantic?

            And let me also say, that I am not surprised that there are blacks who are Republicans. There are also gun owners who are Democrats.

            Let us keep in mind, that 1976 was the last time a Democratic nominee for President, Jimmy Carter, received a majority of the white vote for president. This white flight or fright to the GOP has been going on for decades, but it is beginning to intensify with the racial diversionary politics of Donald Trump. And in the short run there is no answer to it for the Democratic Party. Now in the long run there maybe, if our politics can begin to once again promote, enhance, and protect the interests of a collapsing middle class. So when Trump said in Charlottesville recently, that jobs were the key to ending racism in this nation, he was actually right, if you can ignore for a moment that his politics is some of the most divisive racial politics ever seen in America since the advent of George Wallace…. So Trump’s rhetoric is the problem and his rhetoric answer, “jobs,” is the answer, but since it is coming from him, I feel as though it is crocodile tears at best, in terms of solvency….

              1. You are not serious, are you? Trump has taken Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” and gone national with it. Just as civil rights, although a good thing, destroyed the Democratic Party down South, the realities of a collapsing middle class is now dismantling the Democratic Party today on a national scale…

      2. Miranda – Some of the steady decline comes from Democrats use of identity politics. Instead of focusing on policy that could help all Americans, they single out a few select groups to label victims and manipulate them into thinking that without government’s assistance they will certainly fail.

        Another party issue, and I’d include MSM in this, is the outrageous claims of any -ism or -phobia from any differing point of view. YouTube and Facebook have shut down channels that question leftists agendas, speeches on college campuses are cancelled and for goodness sake, pro-life Democrats have been completely banned from the party.

        I could continue, but I know, you know why the party is rapidly falling apart. Sadly, I think you are one of the few fighting to get them back on some kind of track.

        1. KM,

          Many of the issues in regards to the failure of the SDDP and are self inflicted. After President Trump pardoned Sheriff Arpaio one of these Hard Lefty Heidelberger extremists went all over social media complaining about it and wondered what will be done about it and was frustrated she could only get 4 people to ever vote with her. Yet if someone questions or disagrees with what they advocate or statements they make which could end up being huge liabilities for the over all success of being a true opposition party besides disagreeing it is bad public policy we are called racists, fascists or Republican Light.

          I just came out and asked her to make a choice. Do you want to attempt to have your preferred drug of choice legalized and continue to whine, complain and have severe short and long term negative consequences to what you supposedly advocate or try to stay united and try to build a party and win some elections? Drugs and angry extremism seem to be the priority. Even the pro-life candidates have been getting grief and I respectfully support their choice.

          I know I am not alone and there is a good chance we will see more sensible and relatable South Dakotans within the SDDP emerge to run for office that for many have been scared away by what seem to be imports from Portland, Oregon.

      1. NO, you were busted on your BS and now are trying to save face by backpedaling as fast as you can.

        Man up and admit it.

        1. Why do you think I called it the “Spin Zone?” A “Spin” is not always accurate, but some do buy it from time to time.

          I bet it feels kind of different being on the receiving end of “Alternative Facts” for a change, huh?

          With my initial comment, I was hoping to get some response and I ended up with all three big guns showing interest (Pat, Troy, and Lee)…. I call that a win beyond my greatest expectations…. 😉

          ….. More fun to come in ’18………

  3. EC,

    EC,

    I don’t know how well the following table will look but here is the gist of what happened during the summer (from 6-1 through 9-1) and the SOS voter registration clean-up.

    Republicans dropped 5,081 voters (2% of their voter registration total)
    Democrats dropped 5,410 voters (3.2% of their voter registration total)
    Total voters dropped 12,396 voters (2.25% of total voter registration)

    In short, Republicans dropped a lower percentage than the total voter registration drop while Democrats dropped a higher percentage than the total voter registration drop. What this means is the GOP increased its share of Registered Voters.

    The GOP increased its share from 46.22% to 46.34%. Small gain but a gain just as well.

    The Democrats decreased its share from 30.78% to 30.48%. Small drop but a drop just the same.

    My question is what is the over-under for the Democrats going under 30%. Listening to the Democrats, you’d think the voters are flocking to them. Hmmmm.

    6/1/17 9/1/17 Drop percentage
    Republican 254166 249085 5081 2.00%
    Democrat 169240 163830 5410 3.20%
    Total 549871 537475 12396 2.25%

    1. Trump is still popular in rural America, thus the GOP is still popular there too and a “White” safe haven for them….

  4. I don’t believe Democrats will drop below thirty percent…..at least not before Christmas, or at least Thanksgiving. Anybody figure their burn or rate? They have 2,588, give or take, to get there. If the purge is an annual event, they could make it until next year, unless they have another “drive”

  5. Lee,

    Not including the annual purge, the Democrats Jan-Aug. lost an average of 331 voters a month. At the same time, the total voters were growing 201 voters per month. Thus, at this pace, it will take them 7 months or until April 2018 to fall below 30% of the electorate.

    I guess your comment made me answer my prior question: The over/under is April 2018. Lee, for one beer, I’ll let you pick over or under.

    1. But in the short run does it really matter as long as Bjorkman wins?….. Which he will…..

  6. They will likely have two prolife candidates on their statewide ticket, which will irritate the Weiland crowd, but help them with normal South Dakotans. I’m not a gambler, but I think it means I want the “over” (they won’t burn as fast as usual)

    1. Lee,

      There may be more to come that “normal South Dakotans” can relate to especially in the legislature.

    1. Charlie,

      It is now the past. Former Democratic Senator Jim Webb from Virginia who President Reagan appointed Sec. of the Navy was my first choice but he is too soft spoken of a guy to get very far in the environment of the last election but in the end I did vote for the DNC nominee. I believe he left the party and is in the political wilderness now.

      All we can do now on all sides is hopefully learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward while attempting to limit damage.

  8. EC,

    Nobody looks to race as an issue faster and with more assurance than the Democrats. And, I don’t know about KM, but I’m serious. Whatever race strategy you been employing, it aint been working.

    1. But we don’t even have to discuss my race strategy or my Party’s race strategy, or if we even have one. The reality is that the decline of the American middle class has fueled racial tensions in this country and this economic decline of the middle America is causing an exodus of white people to the GOP. I am not saying all Republicans are racists, but in numbers, the GOP is benefiting from racial tensions.

      When Trump said that “jobs” could end or lessen racial tensions in this country, I think he is right. Now, we may debate over whether Trump is sincere on this issue, but I think there is a direct correlation between a collapsing middle class and white voters finding a safe haven within the GOP…. And in the red northern plains that is a big problem for blue people.

      I might also add, that the Dems aggressive social agenda on LGTB rights has also caused an influx of predominantly white voters towards the GOP, but its the perfect storm of abortion, guns, social issues, and the key ingredient of a collapsing middle class, which has caused the perfect storm that definitely benefits Republicans in states that are traditionally more red than blue….

      1. EC,

        So many factors in play but the middle class is getting hurt really bad and for those below middle class it is even worse. Just driving around neighborhoods in a number of towns in SD including the larger ones and houses and neighborhoods that were once immaculately kept up are falling into disrepair because the owners cannot keep up with maintenance costs which long term will require even more expense which will be out of reach for many.

        1. Absolutely! Republicans often champion family values, but they never talk about middle class values. And without true middle class values, like decent wages and benefits, family values become nothing more than a pipe dream.

          Now that said, I think the Democratic Party, since the advent of the Clintons in the 1990s, has only given Americans talk on middle class values and many of their economic policies, especially free trade advocacy, have been implicit with the Republican agenda in helping to accelerate the decline of the American middle class as well.

          I have been very hard on the GOP for benefiting from the exodus of white voters to the GOP with my above comments, but the Democrats have helped that exodus by failing to protect the middle class, however. And that is the one great hope, that Democrats have in making the Party relevant again to a majority of Americans, and especially more attractive in red states like South Dakota, and that is for the Democrats to mean what they say with actions, when it comes to domestic economic policies….

          1. EC,

            What happened last election cycle had been building for years. I lived in North Carolina for a few years during and after Sept 11th and it was the hardest hit state from NAFTA and many of those factories that closed some being textile plants originally came from New England. I believe both parties failed many and that is how Trump was able to sweep aside his GOP challengers and eventually win the electoral college. Many former Democrats voted for him. I talked to many going door to door and just listened. Some had reservations about voting for him based oh his behavior but they still wanted to throw a grenade in the room to shake things up. Trump certainly did!

            Bread and butter issues for everyone are always a most basic need and should be. We can debate how we are best able to help in that regard.

            1. You bet a lot of working class Democrats voted for Trump. It was what Michael Moore called the greatest “FXXX-YOU” message ever….

              The collapsing middle class amongst us is the greatest national security threat to this country as a democracy. It is a greater threat than Isis, Putin, illegal immigrants, China, or even global warming in the short run…. And the Democrats obsession with social issues with no true commitment to economic issues in the past 25 years, with the exception of health care, has facilitated this decline of the middle class, which in turn has become kindling wood for racist attitudes in our country that have thus benefited the Republican Party both by design and default…..

    2. Troy – If I’m not being serious, I’ll include a symbol at the end of my sentence (/s) which indicates sarcasm. Sometimes is use this symbol 😉 to keep it light-hearted;) That being said, Democrats use of identity politics is destroying them. The continuous lies and naming calling by the DNC & MSM is destroying them. Pushing the Russia conclusion lie and insisting all supporters of the POTUS are racists is pushing people right back into Trumps arms for 2020.

      I don’t have time to continue, but I know you could easily add to why the DNC (which seeps into the SDDP) is drowning.

      2. Well, the Russian collusion is not a lie…. You wait and see. And if Trump gets re-elected in 2020, absence a resignation or impeachment, it will be because the Democrats have not found a genuine economic message, which middle and working class Americans will buy into….Accusations of Trump and racism are not bringing new people to Trump, because they are already there because of racism, and they will only stay or return to Trump, if they have temporary left due to current White House chaos, by 2020 if the Democrats do not get their economic message strengthen out….

        In 2016, as an example, Sanders attracted 4500 people to a rally in Sioux Falls, while Hilary Clinton attracted 350 people to a rally in Sioux Falls. I attended both rallies and the establishment with the help of super delegates gave the nomination, however, to Clinton – and this reality is at the heart with what is wrong with the Democratic Party today, and that is that it is not authentic to its natural constituency on economic issues, and as long as this prevails the Democrats are in trouble for 2020, and even 2018, I will allege, with the help of Republican gerrymandering…..

        1. EC,

          How the DNC handled the primary really showed just how corrupt it was. Bernie supporters were not the only ones that got burned. It was one of the reasons Jim Webb left the party. One of the battles within the DNC is how much corporate/Big money power will play in the future.

          1. Totally! There is definitely a Wall Street cancer within the Democratic Party. This relationship at first was a quick solvency to the growing costs of running for office, but over time it has robbed the DNC of its soul….Or at least its economic soul.

        1. Tara,

          I am sitting on the edge wondering if it is worth the time to volunteer trying to save and rebuild it or look at other options and let it just let descend into fringe party status not even on the radar for consideration by reasonable and relatable South Dakotans.

          Right now my focus is more on the candidate rather than party.

        2. Tara,

          Do you think that if Harry Truman was alive today he would be called a “hater?”……. I mean, he did once say, “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen…..”

          1. What does that quote have to do with hate? One quote I really like of his is “Once a Government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” Another one I like is “When even one American-who has done nothing wrong-is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth-then all Americans are in peril”.

            1. That’s a fair question, but often the term “haters” is broadly used, in reference to social media especially, to describe people who merely tell it like it is, or express facts which some try to dismiss as negativity….

              I like those Truman quotes too!

  9. EC,

    Maybe a good way to cut out your cancer is to get your side to quit supporting pro-big bank legislation and lead the charge to get it repealed. A great place to start would be repeal of Dodd-Frank and all its tentacles which was designed, was supported, is still supported by the Big Banks, and who fight every attempt at its repeal.

    Otherwise your lamenting the cancer is just empty words.

    1. Troy,

      You have accurately identified the sausage making, which is often a cancer within most major pieces of legislation. You have also merely identified a part of the Democratic Party, which is the problem. However, not all of the Party leaders are a part of the problem, but some are.….. They are what I would call the “Wall Street Democrats”…… Just as not all parts of Dodd-Frank are bad either….

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