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The Emerging Role of Native Americans in the Electoral Process

Description

The catalyst for this research project is the dramatic change occurring in the participation of Native Americans in the electoral process. The motivation is the lack of research and analysis of this important trend.

The first Americans were the last to be granted voting rights. Without representation in Congress and without the right to vote, Tribes were subject to the federal policies of Allotment and forced Assimilation, which resulted in the loss of millions of acres of lands, and the removal of Indian children from their parents, as well as the prohibition against speaking their language. It is of course vital that Tribes, like all others who are impacted by the actions of our elected representatives, be permitted and encouraged to participate in the political process.

In most places within Indian Country, both Reservations and other lands, which are populated and governed by Native Americans, Native voting has greatly increased. The legal, cultural, and economic conditions of many Native Americans have changed significantly in the last decade, creating an environment more conducive to participation in the electoral process.

The increase in levels of Native voting and campaign contributions has had dramatic impacts both in and outside Indian country. Many Native community leaders now report higher levels of involvement and a greater sense of engagement than ever before. Elections for various political offices, from the U.S. Senate to County Sheriffs and Commissioners, have been impacted directly by Native voters resulting in newfound respect and influence within the political establishment.

In this political environment, an inadequate amount of research and analysis exists. Media accounts of Native political involvement sometimes perpetuate stereotypes of Native participation or completely miss critical patterns and trends. While certain Native voting and giving patterns are indeed predictable, Native Americans do not behave monolithically.

With the recent surge in Native voting, overall participation rates are still significantly below many state and national averages. Great disparities exist as between Native communities, and from one state and/or region to another. The economic growth some tribes have experienced, often from the advent of Indian gaming, has created opportunities for financial participation not at all possible just 12 years ago. A small percentage of tribes across the U.S. now contribute to political campaigns in amounts far greater than just four election cycles ago.

As relative political newcomers, an examination of tribal giving patterns shows that as contributors, their strategies are more similar than not to most other participants. Whether it says more about tribes as contributors, or the political system within which the contributions occur, tribes are similar to others with issues before legislatures (federal and state) and contributions are often less about ideology and more about political realities.

With the increases in tribal giving, as compared to other givers, they are still far lower than many entities and organizations that contribute to political campaigns. A tremendous expansion in political giving has occurred in the last decade with tribes playing merely a representative role. The starkest difference between tribal and other givers is simply that tribes, for the first time, have the opportunity.

Increased participation, voting and contributions, are giving some Indians a voice never before experienced. In a participatory Democracy, acces and influence are essential ingredients. It has only been in recent times that these practices have earned negative connotations. The access and influence now enjoyed, by a still relatively small number of tribes, is comparatively minimal when an examination of political infl uence on Capital Hill and in state capitals is thoroughly examined.

Category: Native American

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