With the 2024 elections on the horizon, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren is making a concerted push for increased voter registration and participation among Diné citizens. President Nygren, in a campaign with the advocacy group When Natives Vote, has been vocal about the significance of voting in shaping the future. As reported by the Navajo Election Office, there are 133,872 Navajos currently registered to cast their ballots.
"Every vote strengthens our Nation," President Nygren stated, heralding the power of each individual to make their mark on the political landscape. Important deadlines for voter registration are fast approaching with Arizona slated to close its process on October 7, and New Mexico following a day later on October 8. Utah allows registration up until October 25 by mail or online, plus there's an option to register in person on Election Day.
For those who are a part of the Navajo Nation, there's a deadline of September 26 to register or update voter information. Absentee ballots will become available on October 7, offering an alternative for those unable to vote in person. Civic groups like the Rural Utah Project and Wingbeat 88 join When Natives Vote in a grassroots effort to bolster these numbers, working diligently to facilitate access and participation within the community.
A community organizer with the Rural Utah Project, Tara Benally, emphasized this in a statement obtained by the official Navajo Nation President's Office site, "We need to get that decision-making back," she said. "If that happens through elections, let's encourage our people to take part in this process." Initiatives across the board are being ramped up to ensure a significant Navajo presence where policies and propositions that closely affect their lives will be on the ballot.
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