BILLINGS, Mont. (NMB) – With voting season underway, Montana Native Vote (MNV) is urging Indian Country to cast their ballots and to participate in the 2020 Census.
MNV Field Manager Ta’jin Perez said their number one priority is the health and safety of Montana’s tribal communities and they’re here to help native communities get their voices heard.
“Montana Native Vote works to inspire indigenous action through civic engagement and public policy advocacy. One of our biggest pushes of course during any election season is making sure not only do people get registered to vote but also making sure that people get their ballots. So, we do a lot of education on the actual nuts and bolts of what it is to vote and at the same time we want to provide context as to why it’s so important for Native Americans to vote…”
Perez said they’re not only here to help everyone mail their ballots in on time but to help with any 2020 Census questions as well.
“As far as the census, there may be some individuals with the Census Bureau that will be going out and dropping off bags full of materials – welcome the Census Bureau if any of them do stop by and if they ask to talk to anyone of course help them out. We’ve been ensured the Census Bureau will have proper PPE and will be following all of the guidelines that public health departments have recommended for contact between people. Please watch out for the bags from the Census Bureau that they’ll be putting on doorknobs and please fill them out. If there is anybody who needs help with anything with the census or with voting, please give us a call.”
Perez said the native vote has and will continue to be a key decider for many Montana races.
“The native vote is really important as far as determining the outcomes of a lot of the key races. For example, the Jon Tester win back in 2018 – we definitely believe that he was pushed over the top because of the native vote. If you look back at the results and kind of the map of the results, you’ll notice that a lot of the counties not only some of the urban centers, but reservation counties went very very solidly in Jon Tester’s favor. So, more and more anyone who wants to get elected to statewide office or to represent us…understands the importance of the native vote.
MNV was established in 2011 to help advocate and promote Native American voices in politics and policy making. MNV also assists and equips members with resources and training so they can participate in the state and federal legislative process.
For more information call 406-869-1938 or visit mtnativevote.org.
