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The State of Native Voting

Obstacles at Every Turn

Across America, it is altogether too hard for Native Americans to vote. They often must go off-reservation and travel outrageous distances to reach voting services. Many do not have home addresses or mail delivery, making registering and receiving a ballot difficult, if not impossible. Native Americans still face racial discrimination and hostilities when casting their ballots. NARF, in collaboration with Native American advocates across the country, have extensively documented these barriers and are fighting every day against this discrimination.

Report (2026): Obstacles Persist: According to the Data

Native voters continue to face significant roadblocks at every stage of the election process. The data illustrate a voting process that is starkly different than what most Americans experience.

Full Report >

Report (2020): Obstacles at Every Turn

This report provides detailed evidence that Native people face obstacles at every turn in the electoral process: from registering to vote, to casting votes, to having votes counted. Includes 2021 updates.

Full Report

Field Hearings (2017-8)

The hearings create a documentary record of the circumstances surrounding voting in Indian Country, identifying the unique needs and challenges faced by Native voters.

Hearing Details

Initial Survey (2016)

Results from the initial survey indicate that there are a variety of problems affecting access to the polls, each requiring a different strategy in order to resolve it.

Survey Results

Native Voices, Native Vote

Every day, Native American voters have to push back against structural barriers and unfair tactics that seek to restrict our freedom to vote. In the courts and legislative halls Tribal leaders and Native advocates are showing up to ensure that Native people are included in American democratic systems.

NARF’s Native Voices, Native Vote video series tell the stories of Native voters and Tribal leaders from across Indian Country.

In Protecting Our Way of Life in Alaska, we explore the long and ongoing struggle for voting rights among Alaska Natives, from literacy tests to limited mail delivery. Learn what’s working, what’s broken, and how Alaska Native communities can reclaim their political power.

In The Every Day Fight for Voting Rights in North Dakota, hear stories from Native voters in North Dakota about how they fight every day to make their voices heard.

Since the signing of the Indian Citizenship Act 100 years ago, Native Americans have been fighting for their right to vote. Nowhere is this truer than in Arizona. In The Road to Voting Rights in Arizona, the second episode of the Native Voices, Native Vote video series, hear stories from Native voters in Arizona about why they are fighting so hard to make their voices heard.

Learn how the Native American Rights Fund is committed to fighting injustices faced by Native Americans trying to exercise their right to vote. Help us in this generational fight for justice.

Subscribe to get updates and voting rights news. Share our stories with your circles. And donate today to protect Native American democracy and make sure that Native voices are heard and Native interests are represented.

NARF Voting Rights Actions

In The Courts

A fully enfranchised Native electorate is powerful. Native Americans are poised to sway local, state, and federal elections. They make up key voting blocks in states like Arizona, Alaska, Nevada, Montana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, to name a few.

The obstacles faced by Native voters are unreasonable and unfair and rob them of this political power. The fundamental promise of American democracy is that everyone can participate and effectuate change. We fight to honor that promise every day in courts across America.

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In Congress

Congress must pass the Native American Voting Rights Act (NAVRA) to combat the unique obstacles that Native voters face when they try to register, cast their votes, or have their votes count and their voices heard. Federal legislation is sorely needed to address the distinct issues confronting Native American voters and establish baseline, consistent standards for voting in state and federal elections.

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Protecting Native American Voting Rights