Polling Places Removed From Native Reservation

[Swede]

Residents of Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota are protesting the county's decision to remove three polling places from the tribe's three precinct vicinity.

The Benson County Board of Commissioners cited the high costs of running the polls and training staff as reasons for their decision. Spirit Lake leaders offered to front the costs for recruiting and training poll workers as well as provide rent-free facilities, but the board declined, saying the costs would still be too high and that mail-in ballots are cheaper.

In a county where Natives account for 50 percent of all voters, this move will most certainly disenfranchise them. With only one poll location in the entire county, they will have to travel further and have a longer waiting time to cast their vote. While mail-in ballots may be cheaper, every voter should have the same methods available to cast their vote as every other voter in the U.S.

http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/polling-places-removed-from-native-reservation/

[Paper Roses]

1. Voting is our right. If there is no place to vote, our rights are

abridged. I hope the residents of this reservation have a good lawyer.

We never stop beating on the Indians, the original owners of this land. As it was then, so it is now. The little guy is shafted.

[LiberalFighter]

2. They should organize themselves and show up at other polling stations

early to make it difficult for others to vote. Preferably in Republican dominated areas. If they are able they should vote before the election and then take up space on Election Day.

[AsahinaKimi]

3. This is disgusting!

Who are the people who make these decisions? Republicans? ... Figures.

[Odin2005]

4. I have a friend who grew up in that area. the bigotry is astounding.

[PufPuf23]

5. Also in Indian country - we have had only mail in ballots since 2005.

The county supervisor district (5 supervisor districts in the county) where caucasians are 90% of population still has polling spots, while the region that is 50% American Indian is mail ballot only.

[PufPuf23]

6. Update to earlier post and comment on 2008 vs 2010 campaigns

I live about 2 miles from a town that says 630 people (store, gas station, cafe, usfs ranger station, Tribal Offices) and there are probably 1500 people scattered like me within 5 air mile radius. This is within National Forest but one has to drive through two Reservations and over 2 mountain passes -- 85 winding miles -- before a stoplight and what would expect of contemporary civilization. Cell phones do not work here. One needs a satellite connection for all but 3 stations of poor TV reception. Some are still off the grid. The nearest county Sheriff Deputies -- 2 -- are 38 miles. The nearest high school is 27 miles on one of the Reservations.

The population now (my informed guess):

50% American Indian (about half are comfortable, many educated and employed by the Tribal government; the others poverty and not much exposed to civilization except the evils of self-destruction). In the last 20 years the Tribe has purchased and built housing and Offices moving many esp. Elders into Tribal housing. Democrats among the enfranchised and aware.

25% Caucasian and mixed counter culture that are connected to commercial organic farming and/or pot growing. Democrats/Leftists or apolitical)

10% Caucasian and mixed with Feds or State employment and most have higher education. Most Democrats.

15% Caucasian and mixed from former timber or mining industry or else retirees that retired here for the outdoors (hunting, fishing, gardens, beauty, escape). Varies but tend to GOP, Faux, and TeaBag if Baggers cared about the area.

I am in the last category and somewhat unique as I am not Indian but 4th or 5th generation local and many assume I am part Indian for a variety of reasons. I grew up here and left, was educated (BS, MBA, science PhD dropout and lived urban more than rural), and returned in 2002-2003. I can identify with all groups but was at boarding schools in SF area 1966-1970 for 8-11 and BS and Masters are Cal). I perceive myself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative and also harmed by the ideological choices made in life). The last 4 members of FDR's CCC that stayed local have passed on in the last 5 years. They were my parent's generation or somewhat younger. I am also liberal and and FDR/Social Democrat.

That is context.

In 2008, I received frequent phone calls and also was a property owner with acreage on the State Highway and major county road -- there are only 4 ways out of the valley of rugged geology. I had Democratic signs by my permission from county to State to Federal elections on my real estate (300 plus acres since sold or gifted to Tribe retaining 74 acres) but still have highway frontage into town. I gave $ to county, state, Federal, and Obama in 2008. I received many campaign calls.

In 2010, no one asked me about signs. I just went to the post office and town today for the first time in over two weeks. There is one campaign poster for the GOP county supervisor district candidate in the valley. Otherwise no one would know there was an election at hand. The area is blanketed during Tribal elections with signs. No one has called me once about politics. I also gave no money this round but urge my friends to vote Democratic.

I had never before considered the issue of losing live polling to only vote by mail.