Elevating Native American Voting Rights in the 2024 Election
Strategies for Addressing Voting Barriers for Indigenous Peoples
As the 2024 election approaches, it is vital to bring attention to Native American voting rights. Historically, Indigenous communities in the United States (Turtle Island) have faced systemic barriers to voting, leading to lower voter turnout and diminished political influence. A study completed in 2018 by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) states that more than 1,000,000 eligible Native American voters (18+) in the United States are not registered to vote. Addressing these challenges is essential for ensuring fair representation and recognizing the sovereignty of Native nations.
A Brief History of Native Voting
This election year marks the 100th anniversary of Native Americans being granted U.S. citizenship. Although Native peoples have been the original inhabitants of this land, it wasn’t until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, also known as the Snyder Act, that all Native Americans born in the U.S. were officially recognized as U.S. citizens.
Signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge, this act was the first to grant U.S. citizenship to Native Americans without conditions related to military service or forced assimilation, establishing it as a universal right for all Native peoples, including those on tribal lands. Tribal citizens could also maintain their tribal status while also holding U.S. citizenship. Despite this progress, it took another 40 years of persistent advocacy, often led by disenfranchised Native American veterans, before the right to vote was fully secured for Indigenous communities nationwide.
What is Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination and Why Does it Matter?
Tribal sovereignty refers to the inherent authority of Indigenous nations to govern themselves, control their lands, and manage their affairs independently of external governments. This concept is deeply rooted in a history that predates the formation of the United States, recognizing Indigenous peoples as distinct political entities with their own cultural, social, and legal systems. Today, 574 federally recognized self-governing nations exist across Turtle Island, each operating as a sovereign entity. To put this into perspective, New York is one of the 50 states within the United States, and within and around New York’s colonial boundaries, there are six different Indigenous nations. These nations, also known as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, are the Seneca, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora.
Tribal sovereignty is reinforced by treaties, laws, and legal precedents that affirm the right of Native nations to self-determination. The U.S. Constitution, in Article VI, recognizes treaties as the supreme law of the land, identifying the importance of upholding Indigenous sovereignty. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson advocated for Indian "self-determination," marking a pivotal federal policy shift away from termination and towards promoting equal economic opportunities for Native Americans. Self-determination empowers Indigenous nations to make decisions about their governance, education, health care, economic development, and cultural preservation according to their own values and needs. However, historical and ongoing struggles with the U.S. continue to pose significant threats to the sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous peoples.
The significance of tribal sovereignty and self-determination lies in the critical role of preserving the identity, traditions, and well-being of Indigenous communities. For centuries, colonial policies continue to suppress Native cultures and dismantle their governance structures, resulting in systemic inequalities and cultural loss. Tribal sovereignty enables Indigenous peoples to reclaim their autonomy, address the unique needs of their communities, and resist the imposition of external policies that do not align with their priorities. This autonomy is vital for the survival and flourishing of Indigenous nations, ensuring they can sustain their ways of life, protect the land, and contribute to broader society on their own terms.
Recognizing the importance of tribal sovereignty and self-determination is essential for both Native and non-Native people, especially in the context of voting. In the United States, voting is a democratic process where citizens elect leaders who will govern in the best interest of the people. Electing leaders who respect and uphold tribal sovereignty is crucial to preventing the erosion of democratic values and the rise of autocratic tendencies that could harm both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Why The Native American Vote Matters
The Native American vote has the potential to be a decisive factor in elections, particularly in states with significant Indigenous populations. In the 2020 election, Native voters played a crucial role in key battleground states like Arizona, where their turnout helped shift the outcome. This demonstrates the power of the Native vote, especially in closely contested races.
However, despite this influence, Native Americans remain one of the most underrepresented groups in U.S. elections. The barriers they face are numerous and deeply rooted in historical and systemic inequities. Addressing these challenges is not just about ensuring fair representation; it’s about upholding the rights and sovereignty of Native nations and acknowledging their critical role in shaping the future of Turtle Island.
Barriers to Voting for Native Americans
Several significant barriers continue to suppress the Native American vote:
Geographic Isolation: Many Native American reservations are located in remote areas with limited access to polling places. The lack of infrastructure, such as poor roads and minimal public transportation, makes it difficult for residents to reach polling locations. Additionally, many reservations do not have traditional street addresses, which can complicate voter registration and mail-in voting. Without a standard address, Native voters may be forced to travel great distances to cast their ballots or face challenges in receiving absentee ballots.
Voter ID Laws: Stringent voter ID requirements disproportionately impact Native Americans, many of whom may not have the required identification. Factors such as the lack of birth certificates or the mismatch between tribal IDs and state requirements can prevent many from voting.
Language Barriers: Although federal law requires language assistance for voters, many Native American voters who speak Indigenous languages still face challenges due to insufficient translation services. This barrier is particularly significant for elders and those living in more traditional communities.
Mistrust and Cultural Barriers: The history of broken treaties and systemic discrimination has led to deep mistrust of the U.S. government among many Native Americans. Some view participation in U.S. elections as conflicting with their cultural beliefs and sovereignty, leading to lower political engagement.
Underfunded Election Resources: Many Native communities lack the resources to educate voters and mobilize turnout. This underfunding exacerbates the other barriers, making it even harder for Native Americans to participate fully in the electoral process.
Legislation Restrictions: Indigenous peoples continue to face state legislation restrictions. For instance, in Montana, the state legislature enacted the Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act in 2018. This law imposed restrictions on ballot collection, a method frequently utilized in remote rural Native communities.
Building Bridges: Overcoming Barriers
To overcome these barriers, concerted efforts are needed from both Indigenous communities and their allies:
Expanding Access to Polling Locations: Advocating for more polling places on or near reservations, as well as expanding early voting and mail-in voting options, is crucial. This would significantly reduce the geographic and logistical challenges faced by many Native voters.
Improving Voter ID Accessibility: Supporting initiatives that provide free or low-cost identification, or that allow for the use of tribal IDs at polling places, can help ensure that more Native Americans are able to vote.
Language Assistance: Enhancing language assistance and providing voting materials in Indigenous languages can bridge the gap for voters who face language barriers.
Civic Education and Engagement: Building trust within Native communities through education and engagement is vital. Organizations like NARF are working to raise awareness about the importance of voting and to mobilize Native voters. Their efforts include voter registration drives, educational campaigns, and legal advocacy to protect voting rights.
Allyship and Advocacy: Non-Indigenous people also have a role to play. Understanding the history and current challenges faced by Native voters is crucial for being an effective ally. Advocacy for fair voting practices, supporting Indigenous candidates, and amplifying Native voices in the political arena are all ways to contribute to the cause.
Research the Candidates: Many Native people continue to encounter unjust obstacles in accessing election services, as legislators persist in enacting laws that aim to disenfranchise Native voters. Research the candidates to gain a deeper understanding of who is working with Indigenous communities and addressing their needs. For example, a candidate who has worked at a school on a reservation might be a more qualified candidate to address and advocate for Indigenous peoples than one that introduces bills to congress in an effort to override tribal sovereignty.
The Significance of Peggy Flanagan’s Potential Governorship
If Governor Tim Walz ascends to the vice presidency, his lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and currently the country’s highest ranking Native woman elected to executive office, would become the first Native American woman governor in U.S. history. This would be a historic milestone, not just for Indigenous people but for the entire nation. It would symbolize a significant step forward in representation and visibility for Native Americans, particularly Native women, in positions of power.
Flanagan’s leadership could inspire greater political engagement among Native communities and encourage more Indigenous candidates to run for office. It would also highlight the importance of voting, as every vote contributes to making such historic milestones possible.
Why Non-Indigenous People Should Care
For non-Indigenous people, understanding Native American voting rights is essential for fostering a more inclusive democracy. It’s about recognizing the long-standing inequities faced by Indigenous communities and working to ensure that their voices are heard and respected. By learning about and supporting Native voting rights, non-Indigenous people can help to build a more equitable and just society where all citizens have the opportunity to shape the future.
Why Indigenous People Should Care
Voting is a vital means of influencing policies and decisions that impact Indigenous communities. Voting allows Native Americans to elect representatives who understand and prioritize their needs, from safeguarding tribal sovereignty and protecting natural resources, to ensuring adequate funding for education and healthcare. It also serves as a powerful tool to challenge and change laws that may negatively affect Native rights and interests.
Your Vote Matters
In the 2024 election, let’s unite to dismantle the obstacles to Native American voting and ensure that Indigenous voices are represented and their rights upheld. To learn more about how to get involved, visit the Native American Rights Fund’s “Native Voices, Native Vote” series and check your voter registration status at https://www.nativesvote.com/. Also download the “Know Your Rights” flyer provided by the Native American Rights Fund or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to know and protect Native rights to vote.
