A recent study conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice has shed light on the significant disparities in Native American voter turnout, particularly in presidential elections, due to systemic barriers to voting on tribal lands. The study focused on 21 states with federally recognized tribal lands where more than 20% of residents identify as American Indian or Alaska Native and have a population of at least 5,000.
Researchers discovered that voter participation in federal elections between 2012 and 2022 was 7% lower in midterms and 15% lower in presidential elections among those residing on tribal lands compared to those living off tribal lands in the same states. This trend was contrary to earlier studies that showed higher voter turnout for communities of color in areas where their ethnic group is the majority.
