Unique candidate forum provided rounded look at Sioux Falls candidates
Change Agents of South Dakota hosted a Sioux Falls election candidate roundtable on Saturday. We literally used round tables, 11 of them.
Invited were all six Sioux Falls school board candidates. Four attended. We invited the five at-large City Council candidates. Three attended. We invited four mayoral candidates. Four attended.
Six chairs were filled by participants we invited to attend. A broad mix of Sioux Falls citizens. One chair was filled with our table captains, trained volunteer folks whose job it was to keep things moving on time and not let anyone dominate the conversation, including candidates.
The eighth chair was for the candidate.
At the sound of the buzzer, the candidate had two minutes to identify themselves and explain why they were running. The table captain then picked one person to ask the first question. Each person at the table got to ask at least one. Directly to the candidate.
After 10 minutes, the buzzer sounds. The candidate rose and moved to the next table. Another candidate took their place.
The buzzer sounded again and the process was repeated, until all the candidates had been at all the tables answering direct questions from all the participants.
Think “speed dating.”
The purpose of the event was not to go into deep, long discussions. The purpose was for citizens to get their own personal moment with the candidate.
We started about 9 a.m., took a break a little after 10. Started again about 10:20 a.m. and finished about 11:20 a.m.
Two interesting observations: People didn’t leave. Conversations continued until almost noon. Second, several candidates and participants told me they LOVED the format. One candidate said it was the best candidate event he has been in.
A participant said she had never been able to ask a direct question of a candidate before. She loved it.
Our format allows for direct interaction. No one filters questions. No podiums. No barriers. It’s face-to-face.
Yes, it is fast. Our hope is the participants will seek more info and contact with the candidate on their own time.
Change Agents of South Dakota will be posting photos and some notes on our webpage.
Local election day is Tuesday, June 2, It is being held with the partisan primary for the first time. It is a mandate from the Legislature. Partisan and non-partisan offices on the same ballot.
I strongly suggest you get a sample ballot as soon as they are available. Advanced preparation should make the voting experience go smoothly.
Local elections are important. The folks on the City Council, mayor, and school board members make decisions affecting the quality of your daily life.
See you at the polls.
The independent Rick Knobe is a former Sioux Falls mayor and a regular contributor to The South Dakota Standard.
Photo: Knobe’s roundtable, from his Facebook page
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