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S.D. ID law passed to 'turn Native voters down'
Friday, June 11, 2004
The executive director of the Four Directions Committee, a group urging Indians to vote, says a South Dakota law requiring photo identification on election day was passed "to turn Native American voters down."
Bret Healy says he has proof to back up his charge. Four Directions is collecting affidavits from Indians who encountered problems during the June 1 special U.S. House election and statewide primary.
The law allows people without a photo ID to sign an affidavit attesting to their identity. Healy says the process wasn't followed for Indians who tried to vote.
The state has investigated the claims but has not found proof anyone was denied a right to vote, says Secretary of State Chris Nelson. The Lakota Journal reported several incidents of unannounced polling place changes, presence of non-Indian law enforcement at the polling place and other problems.
Get the Story:
ID law denies some Indians vote, group says
(The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 6/11)
Treatment of Indian voters at Primary polls questioned (The Lakota Journal June 11-18)
Indian voices heard at the polls (Indian Country Today 6/11)
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