Impact of the Native American vote

By Alyssa Kelly

PABLO - During the most recent Montana state senate election, democratic candidate Senator Jon Tester succeeded over republican incumbant Conrad Burns by an estimated 2,000 votes. Minds were boggled over the results, as Tester lost in Montana's largest county, Yellowstone, as well as usually significant rural counties.

It was later taken into account that Montana's Native American residents had a significant turnout rate for voting, most of which, were in support of Senator Tester. "The Native American vote was unquestionably crucial in Tester's campaign and success," says the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Get Out the Vote coordinator Jason Smith. "It was an exciting election and people were able to see the impact of the Native American vote."

Jason Smith is CSKT's Get Out The Vote campaign coordinator. (Alyssa Kelly photo)

The Native American influence in politics is increasing. According to www.fairvote.org, the 2004 general election determined that American Indian/Alaskan Natives made up 21.4 percent of the voting population in the top 12 "battle ground," or more competitive states, which included New Mexico and the determining state of Florida. The Native American voting population in battle ground states surpassed that of other races including Asian and Hispanic Americans.

Smith hopes to see the same enthusiasm in the upcoming 2008 statewide primary election. "It's important that Native Americans get involved and vote," he says. "The representatives that we elect will determine federal funding. They will also determine funding in housing, education, social security, health care, wages, and so on and so forth. Their decisions will have huge impact on everyone's lives."

So when he isn't working as Tribal Chairman James Steele Jr.'s Assistant, Smith is passionately involved in the Tribe's second Get Out the Vote campaign. So far, the campaign has been involved in registering voters throughout the Tribal Complex.

Following the same strategy that Smith found successful in the 2004 election, he will be visiting housing complexes throughout the reservation and featuring display booths at upcoming local events.

Smith hopes campaigning through buttons and the media will help recruite votes in the 2008 Statewide General Election. (Alyssa Kelly photo)

Smith's work in recruiting voters extends beyond the Native American community; he hopes to see that all Americans get involved. "I think if the community, city, state, and overall nation could work together, the election could be done correctly," he says. "I like politics because of the opportunity for networking and its ability to break down social barriers."

If you would like more information on the Tribe's Get Out the Vote campaign or if you would like to register to vote, contact Jason Smith at 675-2700, extension 1026 or his cell at 249-1943. You can also e-mail Smith at jasons@cskt.org.