Native America Calling: Ways to improve rural Native voting access

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Nevada is the first state to extend electronic ballots to tribal members.

The voting system allows them to register and vote from their own homes, giving rural Native voters an alternative to traveling miles to their nearest polling or ballot drop-off site in Nevada. But it’s an idea that other states remain wary of.

In Alaska, efforts to improve voting among Native voters remain elusive. Opposition from Republican state lawmakers killed a bill eliminating witness signatures on absentee ballots.

On a conservative talk show, the Alaska House Speaker admitted she opposed the measure because it would have favored U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat and the only Alaska Native in Congress. Peltola calls it “a concerted effort to silence” Native votes.

Join Native America Calling to discuss progress and continuing hurdles for Native voters.