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A Day at the Races: Election 2004
Monday, November 1, 2004

PRESIDENTIAL RACE • Washington Post Analysis • New York Times Guide • Indianz.Com Census Data Campaign Sites: George Bush | John Kerry A Day at the Races: South Dakota | California | Oklahoma | Alaska | Washington | Nebraska | Montana | Colorado

It's down to the wire folks. Polls show the race between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, too close to call, and both campaigns are preparing for a big post-election fight that could delay the final outcome.

As the 2000 Florida fiasco showed the country, the heated contest boils down to the 270 electoral votes the winner needs in order to claim the White House. According to The Washington Post, Bush has solid leads in 23 states with 197 electoral votes and is favored in four more states with 30 votes. This gives him a potential total of 227 votes.

Kerry, on the other hand, has solid leaders in 13 states with 178 electoral votes, according to the paper. He is favored in five more states, giving him a possible total of 232 votes.

So who will capture the rest? It's up in the air. Interestingly enough, New Mexico, Minnesota and Wisconsin -- three states with significant Indian populations -- are up for grabs.

Additionally, the lean-Bush state of Nevada and the lean-Kerry states of Oregon, Michigan and Hawaii have sizable Native populations. The New York Times also places Arizona, another big Native state, in the middle.

Of these states, New Mexico has been a huge focus of the campaigns, with both candidates making repeated visits. American Indians and Alaska Natives make up about 9 percent of the state, mostly in the northern part where the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation and several Pueblo tribes are located.

There is also a rather large urban Native population in Albuquerque, which is bordered by five Pueblos and two Navajo communities on the west. Finally, there is the Zuni Tribe near the Arizona border and the Mescalero Apache Nation down south.

New Mexico went to Democrat Al Gore by just 366 votes, a close-enough margin that makes the Native vote significant. Tribal leaders, from the Navajo Nation to the Pueblos, are once again doing Democratic this year, having endorsed Kerry.

But there's more to Election Day than presidential politics. In several states, tribes are paying close attention to the ballot box. Whether it's gaming initiatives or a critical U.S. Senate race, there's a lot at stake for Indian Country.

A Day at the Races:
South Dakota | California | Oklahoma | Alaska | Washington | Nebraska | Montana | Colorado

Relevant Links:
Native Vote 2004 - http://www.nativevote.org

Related Stories:
Domenici tells Navajo Nation president to 'wake up' (10/28)
Bush, Kerry campaigns spar in New Mexico (10/27)
New Mexico Democrats hold rally on Navajo Nation (10/27)
Most New Mexico tribes back Kerry-Edwards (10/26)
Domenici: Navajos 'out of touch' for Dem support (10/25)
Navajos see hope in a Kerry administration (10/25)
House rivals both win backing of Navajo council (10/21)
Navajo Nation council nearly endorses Renzi rival (10/20)
Navajo Nation council endorses Kerry for president (10/20)
Renzi wins endorsement of Navajo Nation Council (10/19)
Ron Allen, Wilma Mankiller: Bush too little, too late (10/15)
Navajo council asked to choose Renzi over Babbitt (09/14)
Kerry to focus on Indian issues during Southwest trip (8/5)
Navajo Nation voters chose Kerry in Ariz. primary (2/12)
Navajo president attends Kerry rally in N.M. (2/3)
Kennedy meets with tribal leaders to promote Kerry (2/2)
Democrats turn to states with key Indian votes (1/28)
Democrat presidential hopefuls eye Indian voters (11/18)

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