If you’re a SDGOP convention attendee, and haven’t gotten your credentials, here’s a passage in the convention rules that you need to pay attention to.
Possibly in an attempt to keep the number of normal people weeded out a bit, they’re putting tight restrictions on those who were thinking of coming in on Saturday. From the Convention Rules:
3. Speaking and floor privileges shall be limited to registered delegates, convention officers, convention committee members, state party officers who are not delegates, and any candidate for statewide office nominated at the party primary election. To be eligible to vote in the elections for candidates, floor votes or be present on the floor, a delegate must be registered for the convention. Delegate registration closes at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
That’s a tight timeline if you’re taking off Saturday AM to go to Rapid City. Don’t plan on any bathroom breaks along the Interstate. Purely Gas -n- go if you want to get in line before the deadline.
They are limiting guests too! Not sure why registered South Dakota Republicans who just wanted to watch the floor session were denied guest badges, but an out-of-state guest who arrived later was given one. Seems odd.
There were signs directing people who hadn’t registered online to check in for credentials. When we asked, we were told, “Do you see that table over there? There’s no one there. It’s closed. Come back at 5.”
If guest registration was closed, it should’ve been closed for everyone. If exceptions were being made, it would’ve been nice to know why.
Unfortunately, it’s just another example of the dysfunction we’ve continued to see.
If the Trump GOP has taught us one thing, it has taught us that a fringe activist minority which rushes the cockpit and locks themselves inside, must use access-denial tactics and new layers of requirements to keep others out, so they’re free to aim the party jetliner at any old target they choose.
That has certainly been the point of the federal SAVE act which has been locked up in the Senate. None of this behavior should be a surprise.
If it’s important to them, attendees should be there on time.