At the end of March 2022, the White House released its Report on Native American Voting Rights. The Report found that Native Americans face “unnecessary and unacceptable impediments” to exercising their voting rights.
According to the Report, several reoccurring issues were identified during tribal consultation and listening sessions over the past year. These issues include language barriers, disability access, disrespect and hostility, isolation, poverty, and the impacts of COVID-19. Concerns about access to information were also raised, including voting processes, redistricting, registration, identification, and in-person and mail-in voting.
The Report’s recommendations and best practices for mitigating and eliminating barriers encountered by Native American voters include:
- Legislation that ensures Native American voters have equitable opportunities
- Equitable execution and enforcement of current voting laws
- Inclusion and communication with all governmental and voting entities
- Access to information through reliable and affordable high-speed broadband internet
- Increase voting by mail to better serve rural and isolated communities
- Expand voter registration services and offices in Native communities
- Offer language assistance and translation of voting materials
- Increase resources to improve Native American outreach programs
The Report of the Interagency Steering Group on Native American Voting Rights provides greater context and background to the steering group’s recommendations and is available here.