Indigenous voters in Minnesota should feel confident using their tribal ID for Election Day registration

Early voting started in the state on Sept. 20 and continues until the day before Election Day. Registered voters in the state don’t have to show an ID when they cast their ballot, but people who are registering to vote or are first time voters do need a form of ID.

Several types of identification can be used to prove residency, including a driver’s license or U.S. passport. Native people who are citizens of one of 11 federally recognized tribal nations in Minnesota can use their tribal ID, which is issued by their tribal government, to register to vote in-person.

Earlier this year, the non-partisan organization IllumiNative gave grants to six organizations in six states including Minnesota to talk about the importance of voting in Indigenous communities. In Minneapolis, the Native American Community Development Organization received money for their campaign, “Make Voting a Tradition.”

The campaign is educating community members about who’s on the ballot, sharing what some of the issues are and getting people registered to vote. Part of getting registered to vote is, in the words of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, proving you are who you say you are.



https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/10/25/indigenous-voters-in-minnesota-should-feel-confident-using-their-tribal-id-for-election-day