Native American Voting Rights History and Information
This map of Minnesota shows seven of the 11 Minnesota Native American Tribes are located in the 8thCongressional District (purple area). Your vote in this upcoming midterm election can really make a difference.
Election day is November 8, 2022 - Be Informed!
Native Americans practiced self-governance long before the formation of the United States government. And yet, Native Americans faced centuries of struggle before acquiring full U.S. citizenship and legal protection of their voting rights. The Snyder Act of 1924 admitted Native Americans born in the U.S. to full U.S. citizenship. Though the 15th Amendment, passed in 1870, granted all U.S. citizens the right to vote regardless of race, it wasn't until the Snyder Act that Native Americans could enjoy the rights granted by this amendment. (Library of Congress.)
Even with the passing of this citizenship bill in 1924, Native Americans were still prevented from participating in elections because the Constitution left it up to the states to decide who has the right to vote. It still took over 40 years for all 50 states to allow Native Americans to vote. The last state to fully guarantee voting rights for Native people was Utah in 1962. Despite these victories, Native people were still prevented from voting with poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation. The Supreme Court upheld the ban against using literacy tests in 1970 (Oregon v. Mitchell, 400 U.S. 112 (1970)).
In 1965, with passage of the Voting Rights Act and subsequent legislation in 1970, 1975, and 1982, many other voting protections were reaffirmed and strengthened.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped strengthen the voting rights that Native people had won in every state. However, the act is no longer fully intact. In 2013, the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder dismantled one of its key provisions, which required that states with a history of racial bias in voting get permission before passing new voting laws. Just before the 2018 midterm elections, North Dakota’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a new voting requirement that may prevent hundreds of Native residents from voting. (Inside History.)
Turnout for Native Americans was historically the lowest in the country, as compared to other groups. While a number of issues contribute to the low voter turnout, a study conducted by the Native American Voting Rights Coalition found that low levels of trust in government, lack of information on how and where to register and to vote, long travel distances to register or to vote, low levels of access to the internet, hostility toward Native Americans, and intimidation are obstacles. Isolating conditions such as language barriers, socioeconomic disparities, lack of access to transportation, lack of residential addresses, and lack of access to mail often limit the ability of Native Americans to vote. (American Bar Association.)
Sources: Library of Congress, Inside History, American Bar Association.
Voting Information for this Election
On November 8, 2022 voters across the country will make their voices heard in the midterm elections, voting for positions from senator to mayor and everything in between. Your vote can change the outcome of elections in your community. We want your vote to count and be counted. Races across the country have had razor-thin close margins. We often think back on an important single-vote margin with the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Harry T. Burn, a state legislator in Tennessee, cast the deciding vote in favor of the amendment after receiving a heartfelt letter from his own mother.
Early voting began September 23. You can vote early either in person or by absentee mail in ballot. To request an absentee mail in ballot, please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, there may be additional locations. You can vote in person at your county election office. In addition, you may be able to vote at your city office. Contact the clerk for more information.
For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46 days before the election. In addition, locations offering absentee ballots for federal, state or county elections must be open: The last Saturday before Election Day (10 a.m. — 3 p.m.); The day before Election Day until 5 p.m. This does not apply to school districts holding standalone elections.
Some local jurisdictions may provide additional absentee voting days or hours beyond the above required days and times. Call your jurisdiction for more information.