“If Indian citizens cannot participate in the state electoral processes—if they cannot vote—then the principles of democracy are seriously weakened. If Indian citizens cannot or will not vote, then the achievements of Harry Austin and Frank Harrison can be lost and their sacrifices made meaningless.”
President Clinton Pattea, Fort Mcdowell, Yavapai Nation
(excerpt from History of Indian Voting in Arizona)
“Your Vote – Our Future” is a statewide resource to encourage voter turnout among American Indians and Alaska Natives in Arizona. Organized by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., “Your Vote – Our Future” has been supported by the Tribes in Arizona since 2006. We encourage all Tribes in Arizona to designate a point of contact staff to help coordinate Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) efforts in their community and to access updates and additional resources during each election year.
‘Honoring Our Past’ Arizona Native Vote Youth Video Contest Winner
| Bobbie James Bobbie James is a member of the Navajo Nation, Deer Spring clan. Bobbie is studying geology and engineering and hopes to work to better reservations in Arizona in the future. |
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The ‘Honoring Our Past’ Arizona Native Vote Youth Video Contest acknowledges the importance of the Native Vote by connecting American Indian youth and their elders. American Indian youth in Arizona interviewed an elder in their life about their experience(s) voting in non-tribal elections in Arizona as an American Indian voter. They then created a video to share what they learned from their elders and why their civic involvement as an American Indian youth in Arizona is important.
2024 Frank Harrison and Harry Austin Voting Rights Essay Contest Winner
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Taylor Van Why Taylor Van Why is a 24-year-old Yuma, Arizona-born member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. She attended New Mexico State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business with honors in 2020. She also received her Master of Agriculture in Agribusiness from New Mexico State University in 2023 after successfully defending her Creative Component Thesis. She recently got accepted into the Arizona State University – Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and starts school this August. In her free time, Taylor enjoys traveling and seeing the beautiful outdoors, reading a good mystery book, playing with her five dogs, spending quality time with family and friends, and adding to her impressive turquoise and Native American-made jewelry collection. |
On July 15, 1948, a court decision by the Arizona Supreme Court recognized the American Indian right to vote, due to the commitment of Frank Harrison and Harry Austin of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The decision overturned a previous ruling that denied the Native right to vote twenty years prior, when Gila River Indian Community members, Peter Porter and Rudolph Johnson attempted to register to vote. Today, we honor their achievements by participating in local, state, and federal elections. The Frank Harrison and Harry Austin Voting Rights Essay Contest awards Native American youth who participate in non-tribal elections and are involved in efforts that serve to protect their right to vote. Mr. Harrison, Mr. Austin, Mr. Porter and Mr. Johnson, understood that their votes can influence the decisions made in their communities and impact the well-being of their family and friends.
A vote begins the process of civic action, the results of these actions determine the future of our communities. As citizens, we should follow our vote to ensure local and federal officials are acting on the issues that are most important to us.
Media Toolkit
Click Here to Access Google Docs
Materials
If you want more information about getting out the vote in your tribal community, please contact the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. at (602) 258-4822.
DEADLINES FOR 2024 ELECTIONS
- State Primary Election — July 30
- Voter Registration Deadline — July 1
- Early Voting Begins — July 3
- Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline — July 19
- State General Election — November 5
- Voter Registration Deadline — October 7
- Early Voting Begins — October 9
- Mail-in Ballot Request Deadline — October 25