Tester hears concerns about voting in Indian Country

Senator’s Native Voting Rights Act addresses many obstacles to voting

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, attended a meeting this week to hear concerns over voter access in Indian Country.

Tester heard from tribal leaders and national Native American advocacy groups who described challenges to voting in many Alaska Native and tribal communities.

Tester, along with Senator John Walsh (D-Mont.), is the sponsor of a bill to improve access to voting in Indian Country. Their bill prevents the closure of polling locations near reservations and requires polling locations to accept tribal ID cards.

“Our democracy is built on the fundamental principal that all citizens have a right to vote,” Tester said. “I’m working to ensure that the tribes of Montana are never denied that right.”

Tester also recently held a hearing to address quicker Cobell settlement payments to tribal members.

 

Tester’s Native Voting Rights Act by les_braswell5524

Print
Share
Like
Tweet