2026 recipient
Dupree High School
South Dakota · Civic Engagement
Secretary of State Awards
Information about the Civics in the 605 Statewide Sticker Showcase, the Gladys Pyle Award, and the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award.
Civics in the 605
Statewide Sticker Showcase
The Secretary of State's Office invited students to design the next “I Voted” sticker for use during the 2026 General Election. Entries were accepted in four categories: kindergarten through grade 2, grades 3 through 5, grades 6 through 8, and grades 9 through 12.
Showcase rules
- Artwork must be the student's original work. Stock or borrowed images may not be used.
- Entries must include the words “I Voted” and must be nonpartisan.
- Entries may be created on paper or digitally.
- Paper entries must be scanned or clearly photographed.
- Files must be under 10 MB and submitted as a PDF, JPG, or JPEG.
- Entries may be used for social media and other Secretary of State marketing materials.
- The 2026 submission deadline was February 1, 2026.
Attention: Civics in the 605
500 E Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Young voter registration
Gladys Pyle Award
Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson founded the Gladys Pyle Award in 2023 to encourage South Dakota high school students to participate in the election process and register to vote. Schools that sign up and register their eligible seniors may receive the award.
Gladys Pyle was an educator and public official who served as South Dakota Secretary of State from 1927 to 1931. She later became the first woman elected to the United States Senate without having first been appointed to the office.
Steps for participating schools
- Email the school's name to [email protected] and include “Gladys Pyle Award” in the subject line.
- Promote the award to students and school staff.
- Conduct a voter registration drive.
- A student who turns 18 after June 4, 2026 may submit a Pledge to Vote card instead of a voter registration form.
- After the voter registration deadline, email final registration numbers and any Pledge to Vote cards to the Secretary of State's Office.
2025 recipients
Bison High School
Rapid City Central High School
Dakota State University
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Youth leadership
John Lewis Youth Leadership Award
The National Association of Secretaries of State established the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award in 2021 to recognize a civic-minded young person whose leadership and service improve the quality of life in the person's community. The award honors Congressman John Lewis and his lifelong work for civil rights and public service.
Eligibility
- The recipient must be 25 years old or younger at the time of the award presentation.
- The recipient must be recognized for civic leadership and improving the quality of life in a South Dakota community.
- The recipient must demonstrate a meaningful commitment to civil rights issues, including but not limited to voting rights, and to bringing about positive change.
- Examples may include leadership in a project or program, advocacy, community service, or literature.
Submit a nomination
- Complete the fillable nomination form available from the current award source page.
- Include a photograph of the nominee.
- Up to 10 pages of digital supporting materials may be included, such as news releases, articles, or social media posts.
- Email submissions to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2026.
2025 recipient
Ayden Calvert
Ayden Calvert was named South Dakota's 2025 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recipient.
Learn more about John Lewis
Contact
Questions
Call the Elections Division at 605-773-3537 or email [email protected].