Reid All About It September 2014

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In our democracy, the right to vote is the single most important duty and opportunity our citizens have. Indian Country is a powerful voting bloc, but sadly, like many in America, they face unnecessary obstacles when exercising this right. All deserve to have their voices heard. Earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder suggested a new proposal to help guarantee this indisputable right for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
 
No one should be shut out of the democratic process. Yet in some parts of the country, Native Americans have limited access to polling locations; some polls are English-language-only and not translated into endemic languages, as is required by the Voting Rights Act; and worse, some state election officials have engaged in “precinct realignment” that makes it harder for Native Americans to reach polling locations. The unique challenges Native Americans face to exercise their right to vote should be eased, not exacerbated, by polling administrators. That is why Attorney General Holder proposed that tribal governments, as a matter of sovereignty, should have at least one polling place in a location of its choice including on tribal lands.
 
In effect, every tribe in the nation would be able to choose the facility to house at least one polling location in every election year. I fully support Attorney General Holder’s proposal. Giving each tribe the authority to determine polling location of its choice is a significant step in the right direction. But the process to make this proposal a reality has just begun. First, the Justice Department must propose legislation to Congress to enact this proposal. Before that happens, however, the Justice Department needs the support of Indian tribes.
 
Your participation, therefore, is of the upmost importance. Native Americans can make a visible difference in national, state, and local elections. I pledge to do what I can to further secure that every eligible American has the right to vote and I encourage American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people to continue to join me in this effort.