The population of the Cherokee Nation has grown steadily over the past three decades but the number of active voters has largely remained the same.

The tribe has 308,913 citizens, The Cherokee Phoenix reported. Of those, 240,404 are eligible to vote but only about 50,676 have registered.

The voter participation rate is even smaller. According to election records, only about 14,000 people vote in tribal elections, a consistent figure since the 1970s.

"We believe that it is an important government function to encourage Cherokee citizens to exercise their right to participate in government and make their voices heard,” government relations officer Ginger Brown told the paper.

The tribe hopes to increase participating in the upcoming June 25 election for principal chief and deputy chief.

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