Published on Sep 21, 2012
Over 130 communities, organization throughout Indian County to host events organizing more than 35,000 Native Voters
Washington, D.C. – Native Americans are turning out in force to join together in one of the largest weeks of voter engagement, education, and non-partisan actions since securing their rightful place at the ballot box in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Native Vote Action Week organized by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and grassroots organizers around the country, will bring together Indian Country in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of civic engagement and increase Native voter participation. With over 130 registration drives, rallies, and events hosted by tribal communities, Native Vote organizers, and organizations serving Indian Country and Native youth will be reaching more than 35,000 people in American Indian and Alaska Native communities during the week.
“Now is a crucial time for Indian Country to work together to get Native Voters registered and ready to go to make our voice heard on November 6th as we participate in national and state elections,” remarked NCAI President Jefferson Keel. Native Vote Action Week is a response to Keel’s call during the January 2012 State of Indian Nations, for the largest Native voter turnout in history. “The Native vote counts for our people, our rights, and our culture. We must raise our voice and remember, that every Native vote counts.”
In June, NCAI the nation’s largest American Indian and Alaska Native advocacy organization characterized voter engagement in Indian Country as a “civic emergency” - two out of every five eligible American Indian and Alaska Native voters are not registered to vote and in 2008 over 1 million eligible Native voters were unregistered.
September 25, 2012 will mark National Voter Registration Day during which hundreds of national partners, including Native Vote, will register and educate voters, mobilize volunteers, and unite to strengthen American democracy. With key registration and absentee voting application deadlines approaching, Native Vote coordinators are now making a concerted effort to fill the over 1 million voter registration gap in Indian Country.
If you are interested in connecting to a local event coordinator, please contact Tiffany Smalley (tsmalley@ncai.org). See the event listing here.
About Native Vote
Native Vote is a national non-partisan effort of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Native Vote works with community organizers, non-profits, urban Indian centers, tribal governments, and regional organizations to create a strong and permanent infrastructure for election training that highlights voter registration, election protection policies, and voter education. NCAI has been working to protect the Native vote since the organization was founded in1944. Learn more about Native Vote online at www.nativevote.org.
About The National Congress of American Indians
Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org
Subscribe to our News RSS