Events
McGovern Day: Joe Biden Keynote
The South Dakota Democratic Party and Chair Shane Merrill are proud to announce that President Joe Biden will serve as the keynote speaker for the McGovern Day Dinner on Friday, June 5, at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls.
“It is an honor to welcome President Biden to South Dakota, especially during such a critical time for our country,” said Merrill.
At age 29, Biden became one of the youngest Americans ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Over 36 years representing Delaware, he played a leading role in addressing major domestic and international issues, including authoring the Violence Against Women Act.
In 2008, Biden was elected Vice President alongside President Barack Obama. Together, the Obama-Biden Administration passed the Affordable Care Act, helping millions of Americans gain access to affordable health insurance.
In 2020, Biden was elected the 46th President of the United States. During one of the most challenging moments in modern American history, his Administration led the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated vaccine distribution, and helped drive an economic recovery that created more than 16 million jobs.
The Biden Administration also made historic investments in communities across the nation—urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal alike. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, roads, bridges, airports, railways, broadband infrastructure, and water systems were modernized and expanded. The CHIPS and Science Act helped revitalize American manufacturing and strengthen domestic semiconductor production.
“It is an absolute privilege to welcome President Biden to South Dakota and have him speak to people from across the state who want a brighter future,” Merrill said. “This is a historic moment for McGovern Day, and we are honored to host someone who knew and served alongside leaders like George McGovern, Tim Johnson, and Tom Daschle.”
“President Biden’s Administration played a crucial role in helping South Dakota recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Merrill continued. “His policies delivered millions of dollars in investments for rural housing, broadband expansion, infrastructure, and agriculture. As a farmer, I appreciate that President Biden prioritized rural communities, supported sustainable agricultural practices, and worked to strengthen our food supply. I’m excited for President Biden to share his perspective with Democratic candidates and supporters from across South Dakota. This will be an incredible evening as we celebrate the future of our state.”
Tickets for the McGovern Day Dinner are now on sale. The deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, May 25. Please reach out to Yankton County Democrats if you have questions: yanktoncountydems@gmail.com.
Monthly Meeting: May 2026
The Yankton County Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
This month we will discuss upcoming elections and hear updates from District 18 candidates. We will also discuss our summer Politics in the Park event (Monday, July 20, 2026) and the upcoming Riverboat Days Parade. We will also discuss McGovern Day on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Sioux Falls with keynote speaker President Joe Biden.
All are welcome to attend.
Monthly Meeting: April 2026
The Yankton County Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
This month, in addition to hearing from candidates planning to run for office to represent District 18, we will also welcome guest speaker Cassie Nagel of Waypost in Yankton.
All are welcome to attend.
Monthly Meeting: March 2026
The Yankton County Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Monday 16, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
This month, in addition to hearing from committees about planning by our activism committee, we will also hear from candidates planning to run for office to represent District 18.
All are welcome to attend.
Petition Signing Event
We have the opportunity to give voters more choices at the ballot box! In order to get Democrats on the ballot, we need the signatures of registered Democrats to sign their petitions. And the deadline is looming.
Stop by Muddy Mo’s Coffee House on Saturday, March 14, 9-11am, to sign petitions for local and statewide candidates…and grab a cup of coffee and a pastry!
Monthly Meeting: February 2026
The Yankton County Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 16, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
This month, in addition to hearing from committees about their activism work, volunteer work, and candidate recruitment work, we will also discuss issues of importance in the South Dakota legislative session.
All are welcome to attend.
Monthly Meeting: January 2026
The Yankton County Democrats will hold their regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day, special guest Taneeza Islam, immigration attorney and co-Founder/CEO of SD Voices for Peace (SDVFP) based in Sioux Falls, SD, will discuss immigration policy and the current impact of immigration policy on communities.
Very Merry Holiday Social
Join Yankton County Democrats for some good food, cold beer, and great people at our 2025 Holiday Gathering on Monday, December 15, at The Boat House in downtown Yankton!
We are excited to welcome Nikki Gronli to this event! Nikki is a Democrat who is running for South Dakota’s lone U.S. House seat that will be vacated by Rep. Dusty Johnson. Nikki will face Billy Mawhiney, who is also running for the US House seat, in the Democratic primary in June 2026. Nikki will talk about her campaign and her vision for the position. And she wants to hear from you: everyday South Dakotans!
Whether you regularly attend our meetings or you’re new to the group and curious to learn more, all are welcome to attend. Festive holiday wear is welcome, but not required.
Monthly Meeting: November 2025
The monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be Monday, April 21, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House in downtown Yankton.
The agenda includes reports from working committees and updates on action items from the past four weeks. In addition, Jesse Bailey, Executive Director of the United Way in Yankton, will speak about some of the realities for people in living in Yankton County and some of the challenges and needs experienced by the local organizations working to serve them.
All are welcome to attend.
Monthly Meeting: October 2025
The monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be Monday, October 20, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House in downtown Yankton.
The agenda includes committee updates and decisions regarding upcoming actions.
All are welcome to attend.
Happy Hour with Julian Beaudion
Join us for Yankton County Democrats’ annual Riverboat Days Kickoff Happy Hour on Friday, August 15th, 5 - 6pm, at The Boathouse, located at 301 E. 3rd Street in downtown Yankton.
U.S Senate candidate Julian Beaudion will join us to talk about why he is running to represent South Dakota at the national level! And he wants to hear from YOU about what your vision is for South Dakota. Julian and his team will also have marketing materials available, as well as information about how to get involved and support his campaign.
Feel free to bring any special visitors you have in town for the Riverboat Days weekend.
Protest at the Park
Join your friends, neighbors, and other members of our community to protest the growing injustices that are happening in our country — and trickling down to affect our lives right here in Yankton. From veteran’s to families to public media and public parks, come join us to exercise our right to speak out against the Trump Administration.
Speakers will share information from their point of view. Signs are welcome. Bring a friend — or two! We will gather at 6pm at the Veteran’s War Memorial in the middle of Memorial Park, Yankton.
Great American Get Together
Yankton CouYankton County Democrats will host our July meeting outside at Memorial Park! Join us on Monday, July 21, at 5:30 pm at Shelter #1 (near 19th Street parking) for the Great American Get Together — a casual, family-friendly gathering.
We are sending out invitations to folks in the neighborhood in attempts to get new folks to join us. Please bring someone who is curious to learn more about us. We will have cold beverages available.
Good Trouble Lives On
Our friends and neighbors in Clay County/District 18 are organizing “Good Trouble Lives On” on Thursday, July 17 at the Platz (South Market St. & West Main St.) in Vermillion, 5:30 - 8pm.
This event is part of a nationwide movement to honor the legacy of former U.S Representative John Lewis and his call for social, racial, and economic justice — all of which is under attack by the current administration.
They showed up for Yankton’s NO Kings Rally, now it’s our turn to stand in solidarity with Vermillion! For more information, visit the MoveOn organization page.
Pride Across the Bridge
The Yankton group Somewhere Over the Rainbow will host the 4th annual Pride Across the Bridge on Saturday, June 21st.
Attendees are invited to gather at Meridian Plaza on the Yankton side of the Meridian Bridge and will walk together over the bridge and back.
Monthly Meeting: June 2025
The monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be Monday, April 21, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House in downtown Yankton.
Election of new officers, as well as committee updates, will be taking place during this meeting.
All are welcome to attend.
No Kings Protest
NO KINGS is a non-partisan national day of action and mass mobilization to stand up to the Trump administration — saying no to abuses of power, corruption, and cruelty.
Everyone is invited to join the NO KINGS protest this Saturday, June 14, at Memorial Park in Yankton. The protest will begin promptly at 10:30 am. The featured speaker will be Rich Loftus, a historian and author.
Monthly Meeting: May 2025
The monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be Monday, April 21, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House in downtown Yankton.
Election of new officers, as well as committee updates, will be taking place during this meeting.
All are welcome to attend.
Monthly Meeting: April 2025
The monthly meeting of Yankton County Democrats will be Monday, April 21, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at The Boat House in downtown Yankton.
Election of new officers, as well as committee updates, will be taking place during this meeting.
All are welcome to attend.