Event Aims To Increase Voting Turnout

With registration and turnout lower than anticipated in the primary election for Native Americans, Western Native Voice is aiming to increase voting enthusiasm this year.

The group will have a free bingo and free meal at Silver Wolf Casino from 6 to 8 p.m. July 23. The doors will open at 5 p.m. for the free meal.

Tracie Garfield, communications director of Western Native Voice, explains that people who reside in an area understand the best what the needs are for where they live.

“If we don’t have a voice by voting, we’re giving that voice to someone else,” Garfield said. “We want to make voting more of a family tradition.”

Garfield said the goal for organizers is to have the highest Native American turnout ever for an election.

She noted key issues for Native Americans for this election include sovereignty, health care and Head Start funding.

“There is so much at stake for Native Americans in this election,” Garfield stressed.

She added that the vote of Native Americans have made a big difference in some prior elections. Currently, there are more than 50,000 Native Americans in the state who are not registered to vote. “They have a lot more power than they know,” Garfield said.

She is hopeful the event in Wolf Point attracts a large crowd. Along with the free bingo and meal, other highlights will include trivia games about voting and Native Americans. Information will be shared about the importance of voting engagement.

During the primary election, Roosevelt County was one of the lowest counties as far as voting turnout.

“That’s why we’re holding these events,” Garfield said of improving voting turnout. “Communities that don’t vote will be left out.”