Arizona Groups Unite to Overcome Voting Barriers for Indigenous Communities Ahead of November Election

In June 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act granted U.S. citizenship to Indigenous people, enabling them to vote. Nearly a century later, Arizona’s Indigenous communities continue to wrestle with significant barriers to exercising this right.

Following the law’s passage, voting suppression tactics persisted, particularly in Arizona. A pivotal moment occurred in 1948 when the Arizona Supreme Court annulled a law that barred Indigenous voters from participating. Despite the 1965 Voting Rights Act affirming their voting rights, many Indigenous people faced hurdles like English literacy tests that persisted until the 1970s.

Today, challenges remain formidable. From extensive travel requirements to reach polling places to complications arising from ambiguous mailing addresses for ballots, many factors hinder civic participation among these communities.

In August, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted Arizona to enforce a contentious law mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration. Initially proposed in 2022 by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, the law faced legal opposition but was reinstated shortly before the upcoming general election.

A timely report released by U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle and the House Committee on Administration exposed voting challenges that persist for Indigenous populations today. Morelle noted, “Native peoples continue to face substantial and unique barriers to equal participation in federal, state and local elections.” His commitment to addressing these issues is unwavering.

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego emphasized his firsthand experiences hearing from tribes about voting-related obstacles across Arizona. He insists that comprehensive policy and legislative action is essential to tackle these challenges.

The report outlines several key issues hindering voting access: extreme travel distances to voting locations, lack of standard addresses on reservations, inadequate mail services, burdensome voter ID laws, and insufficient language assistance. These factors collectively undermine the electoral power of Indigenous communities.

To combat these barriers, organizations like Arizona Native Vote play a crucial role. Founded by Jaynie Parrish, the organization aims to bolster civic engagement among tribal and rural populations. Parrish highlighted the importance of addressing the lack of physical addresses, stating, “This is a fundamental barrier for rural and tribal voters.”

Recognizing the immense voting bloc that Indigenous people represent— accounting for 5.2% of Arizona’s population—efforts to engage them are critical, especially given the narrow margins in recent elections. In 2020, Biden secured victory by just over 10,000 votes, with more than 60,000 ballots cast from the Navajo Nation, predominantly for Democratic candidates.

Legislative initiatives to rectify these issues have emerged over the years. The Native American Voting Rights Act, introduced in 2021, aims to improve voting access for Indigenous communities in rural areas but has yet to reach the House floor. Language assistance provisions established under the Voting Rights Act also remain in effect to support diverse linguistic needs during elections.

Native Health Central in Phoenix stands out as a designated voter registration site, facilitating outreach to ensure Indigenous individuals meet the impending registration deadlines. Susan Levy from Native Health remarked on their persistent civic engagement efforts, detailing a successful collaboration with governmental bodies to promote voter registration.

With key election dates approaching, civic organizations are poised to continue advocating for Indigenous voices in Arizona’s electoral process. “Our work doesn’t start and stop with a campaign or election year,” Parrish affirmed, emphasizing a long-term commitment to ensuring that Indigenous communities are represented and heard in democracy.