Resources for Native American Voters

History of the Native American Vote

​​

A BRIEF HISTORY:​

THE BEGINNING: 

In 1924, the Snyder Act was passed, granting Native Americans born in the United States full citizenship and therefore full rights to Vote (according to the 15th Amendment). While the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 recognized Native Americans as U.S. citizens, the United States did not initially grant Native communities the right to vote, and this law did not give complete voting rights to Native Americans.

PIVOTAL CHANGES: 

In 1948, the Arizona Supreme Court struck down a provision of its state constitution that kept Native Americans from Voting. Lawmakers found ways to oppress the Native American Vote with obstacles such as poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud, and intimidation.

VOTING RIGHTS STRENGTHENED: 

In 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act and subsequent legislation in 1970, 1975, and 1982, many other Voting protections were reaffirmed and strengthened. 

MODERN DAY: 

While Native American Voters have nearly equal Voting rights according to law, there are now modern obstacles:

- Lack of Information on Voter Registration and The Voting Process

- Distant Post Offices/ Slow Mail Routes

- Voter Intimidation or Uncertainty of your rights Misinformation

   about Mail-In-Voting

- Transportation for In-Person Voting

​

​

*Information from this excerpt is from the Library of Congress and Cultural Survival which have been cited and are accessible in the buttons below for your viewing*

​