"As Americans head to the polls today, there’s an historic push to get Native Americans voting as well. Media, tribal organizations and political parties themselves are all encouraging Native Americans to get out and vote.
Among the loudest voices calling for this participation is nativevote.org. The website – and campaign – is an initiative of the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest tribal organization in the US.
It’s identified 18 states where the Native American vote could make an impact on this election; most notably Alaska, where Native peoples make up 16.9 per cent of eligible voters and Oklahoma where it’s 11.1 per cent. They’ve also identified three Native American candidates running for different levels of office.
But will this get Native Americans to the polls? Political columnist Mark Trahant, from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, thinks so.
He visited the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in North Dakota where 92 per cent of eligible citizens are registered to vote."
Get the Story:
Native Americans could tip U.S. election vote in 18 states
(APTN 11/6)
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