2004: Record Native Voter Turnout for South Dakota’s 2004 General Election
With an unrivaled team of trained Native organizers to get out the vote, unparalleled access to in-person absentee voting offices established through the efforts of Four Directions, and an extensive voter protection program, Four Directions aimed to match the historic Native vote turnout in South Dakota’s 2002 general election.
In fact, the Four Directions effort resulted in the highest Native voter turnout in South Dakota history.
Native voter turnout more than doubled from 2000 to 2004 in the most concentrated Native American counties.
What Four Directions learned through 2004 became the basis for an ongoing approach:
1. Engagement
Work with Tribal leaders and members in meaningful ways to build lasting relationships and create buy-in for our work.
2. Empowerment
Ensure that Native voters feel they own the political process that so often affects treaty rights, Tribal sovereignty, and our way of life.
3. Protection
Make sure Native voters aren’t intimidated at the polls, and ensure that every eligible Native voter’s ballot is counted.
4. Rights
Find innovative ways to extend equal access to the ballot to all Native Americans.
With Native voter engagement, empowerment, protection, and rights, Four Directions has proven that Native voters can make an impact in elections across the country.
