OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) has continued its successful “Warrior Up to Vote” tour, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative to increase voter registration among Native Americans in Oklahoma. To date, UINO has made contact with more than 3,000 Native Americans across the state, and hundreds have been registered to vote.
“Oklahoma ranks 50th in voter participation and registration, and Native Americans have been disproportionately affected by low voter turnout,” said Ben Barnes, UINO Board Chairman. “The Warrior Up to Vote campaign is changing that. With the power of the vote, we can tackle issues like tribal sovereignty, education, healthcare, and more. This tour is a testament to our collective strength and determination.”
The tour, which launched on Sept. 23, has stopped at dozens of tribal complexes, tribal healthcare centers and elder programs across the state, including major events in Miami, Vinita, Tahlequah, Bartlesville, Pawhuska and Shawnee. The outreach has empowered Native communities to take action by registering to vote and addressing discrepancies in their voter status.
The success of the Sept. 30 event in Tulsa – featuring the Tribal Sovereignty 101 Summit and Candidates Forum – underscored the significance of this campaign. Attended by National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr., Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr., tribal leaders, and legal experts across the state, the Warrior Up to Vote tour is providing valuable information on building a pro-tribal sovereignty agenda. Stevens recognized UINO for their important work by awarding the group the Indian Gaming Association’s 2024 Chairman’s Leadership Award for “Rebuilding Communities Through Indian Self-Reliance.”
With hundreds now registered, the tour has also drawn attention to the importance of addressing the state’s recent voter roll purge, which affected over 453,000 Oklahomans, including many Native Americans. Approximately 20 percent of those stopping by one of the Warrior Up to Vote booths discovered they had been purged from the rolls or experienced issues and were able to resolve these problems with the help of UINO. Hundreds more have registered to vote for the first time or updated their information to ensure they avoid being purged in future voter rolls maintenance.
Native Americans represent 13 percent of Oklahoma’s population, but have been historically underrepresented in voter registration and turnout. The Warrior Up to Vote tour has empowered Oklahoma’s Native communities to make their voices heard in critical policy discussions surrounding tribal sovereignty, economic development, healthcare, and education.
“United Indian Nations of Oklahoma is mobilizing the Native vote like never before,” said Margo Gray, UINO Executive Director. “This tour has already been an incredible success, and we’re ready to finish strong. We are making history by engaging Native communities across Oklahoma and making their voices count in this election.”
