In recent years, American Indian voters have
helped decide close elections in five Western states: Washington,
Montana, South Dakota, Arizona and New Mexico. And the tribes may
well play an important role in swing-state elections in 2008.
That’s one reason why the Indigenous Democratic
Network recently announced “Prez on the Rez,” a forum
designed to bring together Democratic presidential hopefuls and
tribal leaders. The August event will be the first time
presidential candidates have faced off on reservation land.
So far, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is the only
candidate who has confirmed his attendance, although fund president
Kalyn Free says other candidates, including John Edwards, Barack
Obama and Hillary Clinton, have expressed interest.
Some
500 tribal leaders are expected to attend the event on the Morongo
Reservation in Cabazon, Calif. Free anticipates that social issues
such as poverty, health care, unemployment, alcoholism and suicide
will dominate discussions. “The ills America suffers from are
most prominently featured on Indian country,” she says.
“Those are the issues that are going to be at the forefront
and how the president can help give hope and opportunity.”
And Free believes the forum will have a ripple effect on voting, as
tribal leaders bring their opinions back home.
Nonpartisan groups and political parties alike are beginning to
recognize the impact of American Indian voters. In 2002, a gaming
proposition on the Arizona ballot turned out unprecedented levels
of Indian voters from across the state. The proposition passed, and
the Indian turnout also helped elect the state’s first
Democratic governor in over 10 years. The Democratic National
Committee now has a staffer dedicated to building party
participation and voter awareness among Arizona’s 22 tribes.
In 2004, the Congress of American Indians led a
nationwide get-out-the-vote effort and sponsored the first
post-election study of tribal voting. All eight states studied
reported increased Indian voter turnout in 2004 compared to 2000.
Free hopes this trend will spur candidates to listen to
tribal leaders. During a speech at a legislative summit, she said,
“We’re bringing these candidates in to Indian country
so they can hear what we expect of them, and what we want them to
do if they’re elected president.”
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