Voting Access For Native Americans In Montana: An Advisory Memorandum.pdf

Key Findings and Recommendations

This advisory memorandum from the Montana Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights examines voting access for Native Americans in Montana based on testimony gathered during public meetings held in March, March 25, and April 2021.

Background:

Historically, Native Americans were considered "Indians not taxed" and thus non-citizens, leading to states denying them the right to vote.
The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted most Native Americans U.S. citizenship, but many states continued to disenfranchise them well into the 1950s and 1960s.
Despite treaty rights and constitutional provisions limiting state jurisdiction over Indians in Indian Country, states often wrongly concluded they could exclude them from voting.

Primary Findings:

Low Trust in Local Government: Native Americans express a lack of trust in local government entities involved in the election process.
Lack of Information: Many Native Americans are unaware of registration and voting procedures, locations, and deadlines.
Geographical Barriers: Long distances to polling places pose challenges for voters living on reservations or in remote areas.
Limited Internet Access: Low access to the internet hinders online voter registration and information dissemination.
Hostile Poll Workers: Some poll workers are uninformed, ill-prepared, or intentionally hostile towards Native American voters.

Recommendations:

1. Increase Public Awareness and Education: Develop targeted outreach campaigns to inform Native Americans about voting rights, procedures, and available resources. Partner with tribal governments, community organizations, and cultural leaders to ensure effective communication.
2. Improve Voter Registration Access: Expand in-person registration opportunities at tribal offices, community centers, and other accessible locations on reservations and in rural areas. Streamline online registration processes and make them more user-friendly.
3. Enhance Polling Place Accessibility: Ensure polling places are physically accessible for individuals with disabilities and located in convenient, central locations within communities. Provide transportation assistance if necessary.
4. Promote Poll Worker Training: Implement comprehensive training programs for poll workers on cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and the unique needs of Native American voters.
5. Increase Internet Access: Expand broadband infrastructure to reach remote areas and provide access to online voter registration and information.
6. Monitor and Address Discriminatory Practices: Establish mechanisms to investigate and address complaints of voting discrimination against Native Americans, including hostile poll worker behavior.