Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM, 3rd District) introduced, on 11/15/2018, the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2018, Landmark Legislation to provide the Resources and Oversight necessary to protect Native Americans’ Access to the Ballot Box.
The Bill incorporates Principles of Self-Determination into the Electoral Process, meaning that Indian Tribes and their Members will be the Decision-Makers when it comes to ensuring their Communities and Members have Equal Access to their Constitutional Right to Vote. Recent Events highlight the Urgency and Necessity of Federal Legislation to Secure the Voting Rights of Native American Voters.
“Voting today anywhere in America should be easier, not harder,” said Rep. Luján. “Yet, Native Americans continue to face obstacles to exercising their fundamental right to participate in our democratic processes. This legislation will help create equal access to the ballot box for Native voters, ultimately strengthening our democracy and the voice of Native America.”
On 10/03/2018, Sen. Tom Udall [D-NM], introduced S.3543 - Native American Voting Rights Act of 2018.
Senator Udall, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Eleven additional Senate Democrats, the Native American Voting Rights Act would establish a Native American Voting Rights Task Force, increase Native Access to Voter Registration Sites and Polling Locations, and ensure Equal treatment for Tribal ID Cards for Voting purposes.
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy. Yet it took nearly 200 years for Native Americans to become eligible to vote in their own country -- and they continue to face barriers at the ballot box in national, state, and local elections. From the elimination of polling and registration locations to the passage of voter ID laws intentionally designed to prevent them from exercising the franchise, Native Americans have been systematically blocked from exercising their constitutional right to make their voices heard,” Sen. Udall said. “I thank Representative Luján for his efforts to break down these undemocratic barriers by introducing legislation in the House that mirrors my Senate bill. It is more important than ever that we pass legislation to ensure that the voices of Native communities across Indian Country are heard loudly and clearly, and I look forward to continuing to work with Representative Luján to ensure that Native voters across New Mexico and Indian Country have equal access to the ballot box.”
“The vitality of American democracy demands that all voices be heard, including the Native voice,” said All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman Paul Torres. “For too long, our voices have been muffled and even suppressed at the ballot box. The All Pueblo Council of Governors applauds the introduction of the Native American Voting Rights Act by Congressman Luján, which will address many of the hurdles to Native participation in the voting process.”
“The Native American Voting Rights Coalition has identified numerous obstacles that Native Americans face when voting or participating in the political process. Issues like language barriers, modern day poll taxes, unequal resources for reservations, unequal opportunities to register to vote, and overt racism are common occurrences within Native communities participating in state and federal elections. In the recent midterms, we saw these problem at play in pivotal races across the country. These obstacles illustrate how much we need legislation such as the Native American Voting Rights Act to protect the fundamental right to vote for every qualified elector,” said Natalie Landreth Senior Staff Attorney for Native American Rights Fund.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
