What You’ll Find in This Toolkit
Why Voting Matters
As Native peoples, we know that every action we take today impacts the generations to come.
Native voters deserve to have our votes honored through policy changes that improve our communities and lands.
Our sacred places, our ability to afford groceries and gas, and the health of our elders and children are at risk. We have to take a stand.
How do we protect our lands that are being threatened? Natives vote.
How do we stop continued violation of our human rights? Natives vote.
Native voters deserve to have our votes honored through policy changes that improve our communities and lands.
We saw the power of our vote to move mountains in 2020. When we show up to the polls we say loudly: See us – we cannot be overlooked.
We are powerful when we vote with our values, and then stand together to demand that elected officials uphold their promises to Indian Country.
Every day, elected officials in local, state, and national office, make decisions about our future.
Voting matters at every level of government, because the people who represent us make decisions every day that shape our lives.
Our relatives and allies deserve to be in these positions of power.
Know Your Rights: Voter Protection Guidelines
Our ancestors fought for our right to vote, and they won. Our votes must be counted.
If you’re in line before the polls close, you have the right to vote.
Stay in line, even after the official closing time! Your ballot must be accepted.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, you have the right to ask for a new one.
Even if the poll workers aren’t sure you’re registered, you have the right to cast a “provisional ballot.”
Don’t leave! Ask to cast a provisional ballot. Your voter registration will be checked, and if you’re eligible to vote, your vote will be counted.
You have the right to vote without harassment.
Threatening or harassing voters is a federal crime. Report any intimidation behavior to the poll workers and give a sworn statement if possible.
Voting is our right. Answer the call from our ancestors, and create the future you want to see for the next generations.
Native Language Assistance
Voter language assistance is required for speakers of the following languages:
- Aleut
- Apache
- Choctaw
- Ho-Chunk
- Hopi
- Iñupiaq
- Navajo
- Nez Pierce
- Paiute
- Seminole
- Shoshone
- Ute
- Yup’ik
- Zuni
Language assistance must allow Native language speakers who are not comfortable speaking and reading in English to effectively participate in voting.
Find out if language assistance is required in your jurisdiction.
Shareable Resources to Get Out the Native Vote
Every encouragement to show up and cast our votes matters.
You can amplify the call to vote by downloading these resources: printable flyers for hanging and distributing in community spaces, and social graphics for your organization’s or even your personal social media pages.
For Download: Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle Artwork
A Native American depiction of the 1930s American iconic painting, “American Gothic,” by Grant Wood. In this version, Thunder Voice Eagle offers a rendition from a Native American perspective with a call-to-action to protect the vote. His concept merges both worlds and the idea of not being able to change history but the power to create a better future with the vote.
Message 1: Six Reasons to Vote
From our vote’s proven power to honoring past and future generations, there are many reasons to vote. Here are some of them.
Message 2: Vote Your Values
How do we vote for the future we want to pass to the next generations? We Vote Our Values.
Message 3: Know Your Rights
Our ancestors fought for our rights to vote as the Original Americans and future leaders of this land. Know your rights, lead, and vote for them on Election Day.
Message 4: Ancestors Are Calling
Will you answer the call? Vote.
Want to share video content?
Reshare and elevate Get Out the Native Vote videos from folks like Dallas Goldtooth and others across Indian Country to encourage people to vote and make a plan.
Want to create and share your own video? Learn more and find helpful talking points in our “How To Guide.”