Swing states are poised to be critical in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Seven states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin—are in the spotlight as analysts expect these battlegrounds to sway the final results. Indigenous voters, an often underrepresented group, could play a vital role in shaping this political landscape, as there are approximately one million eligible Native American voters in the U.S.
Indigenous Voter Challenges and Top Concerns
Despite their potential influence, only 66% of Native Americans eligible to vote participate in national elections. According to research by The Native American Rights Fund, many Indigenous people are more focused on tribal or local matters or feel disconnected from the U.S. political system. Commonly, Indigenous citizens express that mainstream American politics do not address their specific concerns, which include economic issues, education, inflation, and immigration. Geraldine Buck, a Navajo resident in Arizona, highlighted that Indigenous communities face living conditions comparable to those in developing nations.
Another pressing concern is the violence and disappearance rates of Indigenous women and girls. Some, like Navajo citizen Marie Saunders, call for systemic changes to address this crisis, emphasizing the need for support and stronger enforcement.
Efforts to Mobilize Indigenous Voters
Activists are working to change the status quo. In Arizona, activist Allie Redhorse Young launched grassroots efforts encouraging Indigenous voting. Young traveled on horseback across the Navajo Nation to raise awareness, emphasizing the importance of voting for future generations. Campaigns like “Sovereignty in Action” also empower Indigenous voters, linking the act of voting to the broader aim of reinforcing tribal sovereignty.
Political Representation and Hopeful Futures
Some Indigenous leaders are directly entering the political arena, with 161 Native Americans running for office in 2022. Additionally, Christian organizations like Ron Hutchcraft’s On Eagles’ Wings Ministries are working to offer hope to Indigenous youth and tackle the high rates of hopelessness and poverty.
Source:
Indigenous Communities Push for Political Power in the 2024 Presidential Election
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