More than 40,000 homes on Arizona's Native American reservations do not have a standard physical address. Knowing this, MAGA Republicans passed HB2492 requiring voters to provide documentation showing a physical address.
Tribal leaders called this law an "illegal obstacle course" for Native voters. Arizona MAGA Republicans have a long history of violating the voting rights of minorities and marginalized groups. Voter suppression is a common tactic for MAGA Republicans in Arizona and across the country.
Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Susan R Bolton ruled in favor of the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community, Mi Familia Vota, and Native Youth, saying that the proof of address requirements prevent eligible voters from their right to vote and violate the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).
Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose said, “This is a great day for the Tohono O’odham Nation and all Arizona tribes. This decision reaffirms that tribal citizens have the same constitutional voting rights as every other American. The Nation will always fight to uphold our people’s right to vote, which is the foundation of our democracy. We want to thank the Native American Rights Fund for working with us to bring about this momentous ruling.”
“The Gila River Indian Community is pleased with this decision, which will ensure our Community members can exercise their right to vote using tribal identification and our Reservation addresses,” said Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Lewis. “We continue to fight for our voice to be heard through our vote and will resist any attempts to suppress our votes because, as we have shown in the last several elections, our Community’s vote counts and the Native vote matters.”