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A new report shows that voting on tribal lands may be harder than any time in at least the past few decades.
The Brennan Center for Justice studied 21 states, including North and South Dakota, and found systemic barriers to voting on federally recognized tribal lands. Turnout was 7% less in federal elections for those living in those areas than the national average. During presidential election years, voting for Native Americans becomes even more difficult with those living on tribal lands casting ballots at a 15% lower rate than the rest of the population. This reverses a national trend where ethnic groups that largely live together typically vote in much higher percentages than the average person.
The authors of the study point to lack of adequate poling places or access to voting by mail. In some places, it is 100 miles between polling places on tribal land. The Brennan Center recommends lawmakers in the states they studied protect and expand voting rights with new legislation before the next midterm election cycle in 2026.
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