By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
October 30, 2026
In September of 1814, Francis Scott Key sat detained aboard a British ship in the Chesapeake Bay. For 25 hours, he watched America’s Fort McHenry being bombarded byenemy fire. The Americans were almost destined to lose, but by the “dawn’s early light” on September 14, Key saw the stars and stripes of our flag still proudly flying over the fort. In that moment, he was inspired to write a poem that we now know as the Star-Spangled Banner.
America is, as our national anthem says, “The land of the free, and the home of the brave.” America is unique among nations. We are the only country founded not on a shared background or ethnicity, but on a value system rooted in freedom. 250 years ago, our founding fathers created these United States and declared their independence, arguing that, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Our nation will only be around for the next 250 years if we continue to engage in and protect democracy. After all, South Dakota’s motto is “Under God, the People Rule.” We the people are responsible for selecting our leaders, making our voices heard, and standing up for the freedoms our forefathers fought so desperately to defend.
Election Day is one of the primary ways American citizens can participate in democracy and exercise their freedom. The right to vote gives each of us a voice in the direction of our communities, our state, and our country. And it is a right we should not take for granted.
Just over 100 years ago, women were still actively fighting for the right to vote. They gave everything to secure one of the most fundamental rights in America. And today, all you have to do is walk into the county courthouse and show your ID.
As Election Day approaches, I encourage every South Dakotan to make a plan to vote. Take time to learn about the candidates and the issues on the ballot. Ask questions, seek out reliable information, and make an informed decision.
When Francis Scott Key looked across the Chesapeake Bay that September morning in 1814, he saw the American flag still flying. It was a symbol that our nation had endured and that the fight for freedom continued. Today, that flag still flies over our communities, our schools, and our State Capitol. It represents the freedoms generations of Americans have fought to preserve.
It is our duty to exercise the rights they helped secure. In 250 years, I hope Americans will still be singing about the star-spangled banner waving “o’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” And voting is one important way we can secure freedom for generations to come.
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