News Article " November 2nd is HERE!!!!" [Article ID: 10]
Category: National>Political
Date Posted: 11/2/2004
At polling places all across the country, an unprecedented voice will be emerging-the unified voice of Indian Country calling for a new level of attention to the issues that matter in our communities. As Native Americans, we have arrived at truly historic moment a moment when we must deliver the increased Native vote that has been the focus of an incredible amount of media and political attention in recent months. Political parties, candidates for office, and the nation's media have recognized the potential of our power-they are waiting to see if we are truly able to come together and deliver the votes, and I believe we will surpass even the most optimistic estimates of our will and our strength. TODAY is the time for Native Americans to flex our muscles at the polls.
There has never been an election year when a single Native vote mattered as much as it does TODAY, November 2. With a tight Presidential race that hinges on close votes in several states with high numbers of Native voters, and close races for Senate and Gubernatorial seats in key states for Indian Country, your vote is absolutely essential. Our historically low voter numbers have made us a silent party to these battles over our nation's political landscape in the past. TODAY we have a chance to open eyes everywhere to a new power for Native communities.
The responsibility to get individual tribal members to the polls rests with whole tribal and urban Indian communities. Voter mobilization and motivation is the lynchpin to our success. Without results TODAY, then we move a step backward instead of taking the giant leap forward that we have worked so hard to achieve in the past year. Ensuring that every registered Native voter gets to the polls must be a priority for all of us, because without seeing results at the ballot box the record number of registered Native voters rings hollow.
Vote and take others with you to vote. Coordinate voting parties. Assist other tribal members in navigating polling sites. No matter which candidate you vote for, you must exercise your individual political power-otherwise, we lose our collective political power. We must take the political leverage we have earned in past election cycles and use it to drive the issues vital to our communities - sovereignty protection, fulfillment of the federal trust responsibility, economic development, remedies for health disparities, education reform, and trust reform. The power of the vote can put these issues before our elected leaders like never before in history. We have the power not only to improve conditions in our communities today, but also to impact the lives of our children and our grandchildren, as we all know that decisions made by our leaders today will impact the next seven generations.
Our service to this country is heavily documented - as a race, Native Americans have the highest rate of military service per capita. Native soldiers fought in defense of the United States in every single war beginning with the Revolutionary War. So many of our warriors have laid their lives on the line to protect the rights we hold dear, and among the most precious of these is the right to vote, the right of Democracy. The right to vote, although not bestowed on Native citizens until 1924, is something worth fighting for, not to be taken for granted. Worldwide, wars are fought for a right we have and a right we must no longer be negligent in using.
There are many things that communities can do to enhance voter turnout. Remember that new registrants don't just show up to vote. Registering is easy-showing up at the polls is harder. We must motivate voters TODAY. In your community meetings, mention the vote coming up on November 2, and plan for Get-Out-the-Vote efforts. Go door-to-door canvassing, and ensure that your tribal members have transportation access on November 2. Give tribal employees time off of work to vote and to help get other community members to the polls. Organize tribal celebrations open to everyone on November 2. The "I voted today" sticker should be a badge of honor.
If we are to successfully deliver a record number of Native votes, we need the off-reservation Native votes as well as tribal community votes. Urban Indian voters represent approximately half of all eligible Native voters, and without the participation of all Native voters, on and off reservation, we cannot have the impact we seek. TODAY is a time for unity-a unity that will not just impact the polls, but also our own community connections, our fabric as a unified Native voice in this nation. How proud will you be to be a part of that chorus? Play your role, and make your voice heard TODAY.
Native Vote 2004: TODAY is the Day to Deliver
Source(s): By Jacqueline Johnson. Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians
