Native voting-rights advocates contend two Arizona laws have made it more difficult for Native American voters to be civically engaged, despite already existing structural barriers.

Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, director of the Indian Legal Clinic at Arizona State University, said House Bill 2492 and House Bill 2243 will unfairly impact native voters.

House Bill 2492 said voters must present evidence of a physical mailing address, which Ferguson-Bohnee pointed out will present problems for many native people who simply do not have one. House Bill 2243 requires county recorders to terminate a voter's registration if they suspect someone is not a U.S. citizen. The pieces of legislation are being challenged in court but Ferguson-Bohnee argued education and outreach are also key.

"Trying to translate to tribal people in their own terms, in their own communities, why it's important to participate in voting can already be a challenge when you're dealing with a legal infrastructure that has tried to deny your existence," Ferguson-Bohnee asserted.

Just last month the U.S. House of Representatives released a report examining barriers and providing policy solutions, including the Native American Voting Rights Act, which would establish "consistent standards" for voting throughout Indian Country.

Ferguson-Bohnee encouraged all voters to participate in elections. For native people experiencing difficulties registering to vote or having problems on Election Day, she urged them to call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683.

Ferguson-Bohnee emphasized when it comes to Native American voting, there have been steps forward and then backward. Despite President Joe Biden having selected Deb Haaland to serve as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, many still feel voiceless and lack confidence in Washington D.C. leaders.

"There is some feeling within Indian Country and among some Native people is, 'Why should I be participating in this process?'" Ferguson-Bohnee observed. "But when you recognize that people who are elected actually have touch pointed in your everyday life, even if you're in a remote location, because of this federal trust relationship."

Ferguson-Bohnee added realities on reservations are often very different from off the reservation and contended it should be taken into account by elected officials when creating policy affecting the entire state of Arizona.


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As Michigan voters prepare for the upcoming presidential election, state officials are urging them not to lose sight of vital local races, especially school boards in rural communities.

Down-ballot candidates play a crucial role in shaping the future of education and the overall direction of their communities. Statistics reveal rural Michigan school board elections are usually uncontested, with incumbents winning more than 80% of the time.

Trina Tocco, director of the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, said there are a number of competitive school board elections across the entire state.

"Maybe there's two seats and there might be three people running, or maybe there's a couple of full-term seats and then there's some partial-term seats," Tocco outlined. "Similarly to what we've seen with schoolteachers, which there's a lot of turnover."

Tocco pointed out voters can learn more about candidates by attending forums. A map of forum locations, provided by the Michigan Education Justice Coalition, helps residents find events in their local districts.

Candidate information is also available through Michigan Voter Information Center, which provides sample ballots, and the Michigan chapter of the League of Women Voters which offers voter guides.

Tocco noted her organization has collected candidate questionnaire responses, shedding light on how the hopefuls plan to tackle critical issues, such as how money is allocated within a district.

"We have actually requested all candidates across the state to go to our website and they complete a form," Tocco explained. "They tell us, what do they think about what's important around curriculum, around racial equity in our schools, mental health in our schools."

Tocco encouraged voters to tap into their local networks for insights on candidates. She added the best information sometimes comes from neighbors and fellow voters who know who is running and what they stand for.


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Voters next month will be shaping how future elections operate in many states, including South Dakota, where nonpartisan primaries are on the ballot.

Constitutional Amendment H would shift primaries in South Dakota to an open, "top two system." Every voter would get a single primary ballot listing all candidates and the two in each race with the most votes move on.

Currently, political parties decide which registered voters can participate in their primaries. The Democratic Party now allows registered Democrats, Independents and unaffiliated voters to do so. Republicans have a "closed" primary, for registered party members only.

Joe Kirby, chairman of the group South Dakota Open Primaries, said changing the system would increase participation.

"Candidates would change their messaging so they would appeal to all voters in the state," Kirby explained. "Instead of, as they currently do, appealing to the partisan few that show up for our primary elections."

Only 17% of registered voters in South Dakota cast ballots in this year's primaries, according to the Secretary of State. Kirby pointed out under the current system, more than 150,000 voters are left out.

A similar measure to create a nonpartisan primary was defeated by South Dakota voters in 2016. Kirby noted opponents include what he calls "party bosses" on both sides of the aisle because the new system, he acknowledged, would give more power to voters.

"Our job this election cycle is to get out the word about what it is and how it would work," Kirby emphasized. "Because if people understand it, they tend to like it."

South Dakota is one of several states where voters will be deciding on nonpartisan primaries, including Arizona, Idaho and Montana.


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Purdue University students are pushing back against Tippecanoe County's plan for limited voting access on campus. The county has announced only a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window on October 24th, leaving students without a full Election Day voting site.

Laila Veidemanis, a Purdue student and West Lafayette City Councilor, expressed her frustration.

"Students should be able to vote on Election Day on campus and not have to walk to City Hall or find transportation to vote," she said.

Tippecanoe County election officials opted against setting up a polling station on campus after reviewing data. They observed a considerable decline in voter registrations from residents on or near campus. In 2020, roughly 6,700 people in the campus area were registered to vote, but by 2024, the figure had fallen to around 3,100.

Veidemanis added that with packed class schedules, extracurriculars, and other commitments, having on-campus voting is essential for students. She recalled how easy voting was in past years, noting that in 2021 she walked from her dorm to cast her ballot.

"And that was not a presidential election year. I do remember it being super easy. As a freshman, I registered. I was given an email of places to vote, and I walked in and voted," she continued.

Mike Schmuhl, Indiana Democratic Party chair, is among those requesting the on-campus Election Day polling location and dissatisfied with the brief window on October 24th.

"At the end of the day, we also think that that's inadequate. Statistics show that particularly in presidential election years there's just higher turnout, more people want to vote - there's more organic knowledge about the election," he contended.


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