Washington tribes and tribal members are hoping to make history on November 2 with a large turnout of Native voters.

Craig Bill, the director of the state Democratic Party's Native American Vote campaign and member of the Swinomish Tribe, said he hopes 65,000 Indians will cast ballots. That would be 10,000 more than the number that turned out for the 2000 election in which former senator Slade Gorton (R), considered an opponent of tribes, was ousted.

The Swinomish Tribe is educating its members with an election guide and will follow up on election day by ensuring people get to the polls. Chairman Brian Cladoosby hopes to get an 80 to 90 percent turnout.

The National Indian Bar Association is sending poll watchers to Washington and other states to ensure Native voters aren't intimidated or turned away.

Washington has 29 federally recognized tribes.

Get the Story:
80 years ago, tribes won right to vote (The Skagit Valley Herald 10/31)

Relevant Links:
Native Vote 2004 - http://www.nativevote.org

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