As the midterm elections in the United States approach, the struggles for visibility of communities of color and Native Americans continue.
Communities of color and Native Americans in the United States have been seeking better representation on district maps for years, fighting alongside organizations in the redistricting process.
Jacqueline De Leon, an attorney at the Native American Rights Fund, said at a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services where experts met to discuss the problems of representation in the United States midterm elections, the difficulties that Native Americans experience in exercising their vote, and the importance of this community's participation.
"The Native American vote has the power to swing the election this year," he said.
He also noted that restrictive laws are affecting the participation of this community, as the refusal of Native Americans to cast their vote is due to unfounded fear caused by the speeches and misinformation circulating.
“There is continued hostility toward Native Americans when they vote,” he stressed. “Across the country we have seen discrimination, with intent and purpose, toward Native American communities.”
De Leon called on these communities to fight for their rights and participate in the country's midterm elections.
Derick Beetso, director of Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance at Arizona State College of Law, said “the purpose of redistricting is to make sure every district counts” and noted the need to push back on barriers to Native American participation.
He also stressed the importance of making the process more accessible for Native Americans to vote.
Nicole Donaghy, executive director of North Dakota Native Vote, said that "unfortunately we have a lot of difficulties in being represented in the districts" because the requirement to have a residence affects the participation and registration of Native Americans living on reservations.
"Our biggest challenges are making contact with voters in remote communities," he said.
According to Donaghy, there were 21 proposed laws to change voting dynamics, however only two were approved.
She also said that intimidation towards Native American communities has been present. "We want to make sure that there is no intimidation at the polling stations," she said.
Finally, Nicole Borromeo, executive vice president and general counsel of the Alaska Federation of Natives, noted the complications that existed in the redistricting process in Alaska, however, she celebrated the achievement of a fair representation map and commented on the need to call on people to participate despite these complications.
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