United Indian Nations Of Oklahoma Works To Boost Native American Voter Turnout

An Oklahoma tribal organization said voting turnout for the state’s Native American population has been low for years. Leaders indicate that with 38 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma, their citizens' voices are powerful and can make a difference.

The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma has observed what states like Wisconsin and Arizona have done to get citizens to the polls and decided to adopt some of those strategies for Oklahoma.

Executive Director Margo Gray said it can be difficult for people to get to the polls if they live in rural areas or on reservations. To address this, her group visited about 40 locations across the state to help Native Americans register and understand the voting process.

Gray said this work is crucial because all legislation in Oklahoma impacts the tribes.

“We need good housing, we need clean water, we want to attract big business to Oklahoma," Gray said. "We want what everyone else wants.”

While traveling statewide, Gray's organization found many people they visited had been purged from the voter rolls due to being inactive or for other reasons.

Election Day is now two weeks away.