Native Vote


	THE MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION NATIONAL COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE NATIVE VOTE UNITED CAMPAIGN Mission Statement Native Vote United is a nonpartisan effort that encourages American Indians to become better informed and active, participating in the voting process at the local, state and national level. Native Vote United believes that educated and informed citizens empowers the native voter on issues impacting Indian tribes. It is the right of every citizen to know who our legislatures are at every level of government and where they stand on Indian issues. Native Vote United believes we must become more proactive in our approach to voting, targeting the grass roots community. We must promote native candidates or candidates who understands our sovereignty and will take steps to promote consultations with tribes. Native Vote United believes that 39 tribes in the State of Oklahoma can make a difference with the power of the vote. Remember Your Vote Does Count The most often heard excuse for not voting in an election is “my one little vote won’t make a difference.” Yet history is full of instances proving the enormous power of one single vote. • In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control of England. • In 1845 just one vote brought Texas into the Union. • In 1868 just one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment • In 1876 just one vote made Rutherford B.Haynes President of the U.S. • In 1923 just one vote gave Adolf Hitler leadership of the Nazi party. • In 1889 by one vote margin, Washington was admitted to statehood with the union. • In 1890, by a one vote margin, Idaho became a state. • In 1941, the Selective Service Act (the draft) was saved by a one vote margin - just weeks before the Pearl Harbor was attacked. NATIVE VOTE UPDATES Remember To REGISTER TO VOTE GET OUT AND VOTE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO VOTE START A COMMUNITY VOTERS CAMPAIGN BECOME INVOLVED Voting Rights Act The Voting Rights Act, adopted initially in 1965 and extended in 1970, 1975, and 1982, is arguably the most significant characteristic of American citizenship. Though not explicitly guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution the right to vote has been declared fundamental by the U.S. Supreme Court since it “is preservative of other basic civil and political rights.” But despite its significance the franchise has been denied to many groups through out our nations history, including blacks, women and Indians. However, whereas blacks were formally enfranchised with the 15th amendment (1870) and women with the 19th Amendment (1920) Indians cannot claim one defining historical moment when their right to vote was constitutionally secured. Rather, the struggle for Indian suffrage has been an extra ordinarily prolonged, complex, and piecemeal process that has yet to be fully resolved. CONTACT: RITA WILLIAMS (918) 758-1410 OR email her at rwilliams@muscogeenation-nsn.gov