Heitkamp Wins North Dakota Senate Seat with Native Vote

Heitkamp Owes Senate Seat to Native American Voters

By Theron “Scarlet Raven” Thompson

A razor thin margin separates Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and GOP Congressman Rick Berg in a race for one of the last undecided Senate contests in the United States.  Heitkamp currently has a 2,994 vote lead out of 318,400 votes cast.  This 1% deficit could trigger a recount until Congressman Berg announced that he will concede to Heitkamp.  Heidi joins Tammy Baldwin (D) from Wisconsin, Elizabeth Warren (D) from Massachusetts as freshman to a United States Senate where 20 Senators are women, the highest number ever.

This was a hotly contested race and I wrote about this on October 22 and stated that “a strong Native American voter turn-out…could affect Senate Majority,” and this bears out in the numbers.  Heitkamp carried the counties on the Indian Reservations with 68% of the vote, garnering 8,505 votes to Berg’s 3,916 votes, a difference of 4,589.  This allowed Heidi to eek out a narrow 1% victory and make up a gap of 1,595 votes and win by 2,994 votes.  In the previous, I stated that Heitkamp would need to be within 2-3% points of the non Indian votes of an estimated 315,000 votes I forecasted (I was only off by 2,000), and that she could make up the gap in Indian Country, the race played out as I predicted and I am proud of the support Indian Country gave to Heidi in North Dakota.

In fact, Heitkamp’s two largest county wins were in Sioux County on the Standing Rock Reservation where Heitkamp won 83.9% of the vote and in Rolette County, home of the Turtle Mountain Reservation, where Heitkamp won 80.3% of the vote.  Contrast this with her home county of Ransom, where Heitkamp won 69% of the vote.  Standing Rock and Turtle Mountain supported Heitkamp in a greater percentage than the county where she was born and raised!

Senator elect Heitkamp owes a lot to her strong Native American team, she was the only candidate that hired Native Americans, including Prairie Rose and Three Affiliated Tribes, Diane Johnson.  This was an amazing opportunity for the Native Americans of North Dakota to show the Country how important their votes are and that congress should start listening to us and pushing forward with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (WAWA), more funding for Indian Health Services, more funding for Housing, more funding for Education, and more funding to combat drug and alcohol abuse.  All of this will allow Native Americans an opportunity to succeed in this country and enjoy true self-determination.

Indian Country has played a part in several races in the past, including the 2002 U.S. Senate race between Senator Democratic Tim Johnson’s win over John Thune by 524 votes which was decided on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  Another high profile race was the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Montana where Jon Tester won 83% of the vote on the Blackfeet Reservation where Tester earned 2,042 votes to incumbent GOP Senator Conrad Burns earned 419 votes, a swing of 1,623 votes.  Overall on the Reservations, Tester garnered 17,000 votes and won 75% of the vote.  After the election Tester stated he owed the victory to the strong Native American support he received.

Congratulations Senator Heitkamp we hope you will take a seat on the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs and represent Indian Country well and do not forget us!

Theron “Scarlet Raven” Thompson is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota Sioux) of the Lake Traverse Reservation.  He publishes articles on Tribal Issues, Energy, Economic Development, Business, Gaming, and Marketing.  He can be reached at theron@scarletraven.com and his blog is www.scarletravenpowwow.blogspot.com

North Dakota GOP Secretary of State "forgets" about Native American Students

North Dakota GOP Secretary of State Forgets About Native Students

By Theron “Scarlet Raven” Thompson

Imagine this, the GOP Secretary of State, Al Jaeger, distributed a letter to North Dakota Universities and advised them of best practice of voting when they live in a dormitory.

In his letter, he states:

A college student has the choice of voting in the precinct associated with her or her North Dakota home residential address or he or she may vote in the precinct of the residential address the student has while attending college.

Further it state for Out-of-State students attending college that they may cast their ballot in North Dakota or the student may cast an absentee ballot in their home State.

This was all great information for college students but what was Secretary of State Jaeger did NOT provide this Sample letter to the 2,500-2,600 Native American students attending Tribal colleges across the State of North Dakota.  When this was brought to his attention and a request to his office to provide this letter to the Tribal colleges, Jaeger’s Deputy stated “they would do better in the next election cycle”.

Knowing what we know about Native American voting Democrat in an over 80% National average, it is not surprising that the North Dakota Secretary of State would want to wait until the next election cycle before sending information for Native American students to vote.  The United States Senate race is razor thin between GOP Congressman Rick “Abortion is a Felony” Berg and Democrat Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp.  This race and the U.S. Senate majority could be decided by less than 1,000 votes either way, why give the Native American students an opportunity to vote and perhaps swing the race to Democrat Heidi Heitkamp?

Here’s a copy of the Press Release the North Dakota Democratic Party issued about their request to Secretary of State Jaeger and their request he send the Student Voter Information letter to the Tribal Colleges of North Dakota:

North Dakota Dem-NPL Demands 

Sec. of State to Treat Tribal Colleges Fairly

Bismarck, ND—The North dakota Democratic-NPL Party discovered that the North Dakota Secretary of State, Al Jaeger, distributed a letter to North Dakota universities, advising students on best practices of voting when they live in a dormitory (attached). 

Secretary Jaeger failed to release the same letter and information to Tribal Colleges across the state. A letter was sent to Jaeger, urging him to extend the same courtesy the Native American student population, and rather than rectify this gross oversight, Jaegar's Deputy stated they would do better during the next election cycle.

The North Dakota Democratic-NPL released the following statement from Communications Director, Rania Batrice after Sec. Jaeger's failure to act:

"It's shameful that Sec. Jaeger would overlook our Tribal Colleges, when for too long Native Americans were denied the basic right to vote. Sec. Jaeger should immediately fix his mistake and ensure that Tribal students receive his letter in order to ensure that ALL student voices are heard." 

###

It is important to get the word out to all Native Americans in North Dakota, especially the students who may not know their rights for voting in North Dakota.   Please share this diary entry and have them refer to Secretary of State Jaeger’s letter here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/112002917/Jaeger-NDUS-College-Student-Letter-10-2012

Please get the word out and make sure all North Dakota students know their rights and push the State of North Dakota to be inclusive of ALL students, not just the ones they want to vote!

UPDATE (11/16/12):

Native American student made a formal request to GOP North Dakota Secretary of State to not overlook Native American students attending Tribal Colleges in future elections:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rania Batrice
701-220-2261

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Member Calls on ND Sec. of State to Rectify Overlooking Native Community

Bismarck, ND—During a press conference outside of the Secretary of State’s office this morning, Rania Batrice, Communications Director for the Dem-NPL, and member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Courtney Garza released the statements below.

Following the press conference, Garza submitted a letter to Secretary of State, Al Jaeger, urging him to distribute the voting information letter he released to college students across North Dakota in mid-October (letter attached).

Statement from Rania Batrice:
Today I'm here to introduce Courtney Garza.

The reason we are here is that it came to our attention that the North Dakota Secretary of State, Al Jaeger, distributed a letter to North Dakota universities, advising students on best practices of voting when they live in a dormitory. But the problem is that Sec. Jaeger declined to extend the same courtesy to the Native American student population at the tribal colleges here in North Dakota. So today, I'm here to introduce Courtney Garza, a student who has attended Sitting Bull College and is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Statement from Courtney Garza:
Thank you. I am here today to deliver a letter to Secretary Jaeger asking that he fix his mistake, and ensure that all our tribal students receive the same letter that was sent to other North Dakota college students in mid-October. This letter explained how in-state and out-of-state students can legally vote in North Dakota and where, and also served as acceptable evidence of established residency for each student. It's shameful that Secretary Jaeger would overlook our Tribal Colleges and students when for far too long, Native Americans were denied the basic right to vote. All college students here in North Dakota should be encouraged to vote, not just some of them. The Secretary of State has had time to fix this mistake, and make sure that the over 2,500 tribal students around North Dakota are treated the same as other students. Secretary Jaeger should immediately fix his mistake and ensure that Tribal students receive his letter in order to ensure that ALL student voices are heard. Today I will deliver a letter to Secretary Jaeger asking him to fix his oversight and make sure our tribal students get the same letter that all other North Dakota college students received.

Attached:
Audio from press conference
Letter from Courtney Garza to Sec. Jaeger

I know that a lot of so-called progressives did not see this as a huge deal, but when we examine the razor thin margin that Senator elect Heidi Heitkamp won by, you can see that if Tribes and Natives in the State had not supported her effort, we would of seen GOP Congressman Rick Berg as the new Senator for North Dakota bringing his views on women and his lack of a track record in 2-years in Congress helping Native Americans or having a Native American on his staff.

Here's a copy of Courtney's letter, which was unanswered before the election:

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Dear Secretary Jaeger,

I am writing to you today to express my disappointment in your decision not to include Tribal colleges when you dispersed a letter to college campuses with suggestions and best practices of voting for college students, living in dormitories.

As a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, I am offended by your omission, especially when, for far too long, Native Americans were denied the basic right to
vote.

My understanding is that your office has received multiple phone calls asking you to rectify the situation, and you have failed to do so.  Your continued failure to address this issue is insulting.  I am asking you today, to do the right thingand ensure that this letter is sent to Tribal College campuses immediately.

I look forward to a prompt response.

Thank you,

Courtney Garza

We need to make sure all voters are aware of rules, regulations and their votes are counted in all future elections.

Theron “Scarlet Raven” Thompson is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota Sioux) of the Lake Traverse Reservation.  He publishes articles on Tribal Issues, Energy, Economic Development, Business, Gaming, and Marketing.  He can be reached at theron@scarletraven.com and his blog is www.scarletravenpowwow.blogspot.com

Racist Montana Judge Rules Against Native Americans in Voter Rights Case

Voter Rights

Montana Judge Who Forwarded Racist Obama Email Denies Native American Tribes Easy Access to Polls

By Theron “Scarlet Raven” Thompson

Here’s an update from my earlier diary about the lawsuit filed on behalf of 15 plaintiffs and the issue of 120-mile round-trip required to participate in early voting in Montana.

On October 31^st, US District Judge Richard Cebull, who earlier this year admitted he forwarded the racist email comparing African Americans to dogs and implying that President Obama’s mother had sex with animals, shot down the request from Native Americans requesting that voting officials set-up satellite polling stations on Indian Reservations and rural areas of Montana.

As many of you recall, Cebull’s “joke” email sent from his courthouse chambers had the punchline of:

            A little boy said to his mother, “Mommy, how come I’m black and you’re white?”

His mother replied, “Don’t even go there, Barack!  From what I can remember about that party, you’re lucky you don’t bark!”

Cebull implied in his rulling that the case was not strong enough to warrant emergency action:

"I'm not arguing that the opportunity is equal for Indian persons as it is to non-Indians," Cebull said. "Because of poverty, because of the lack of vehicles and that sort of thing, it's probably not equal. However, you have to prove … that they can't elect candidates of their choice."

The US Justice Department has weighed in on this case in favor of the plaintiffs and they have sent in documents supporting the Tribal plaintiffs, this will not be completed in time for this election but after talking with lead attorney for the Native Americans, he hopes to have an expedited appeal completed by the 9^th U.S. Circuit of Appeals before Christmas.  The appeal is being bolstered by a University of Wyoming geography professor who argued that the Tribes are in an unfair disadvantage due to this ruling.

In a strange twist,  Judge Cebull announced he was stepping down as Chief Federal Judge for Montana next year, not before issuing this slap in the face to Native Americans!  Whoever is president next year will be appointing a replacement to this obviously racist judge.  Cebull’s conduct is being reviewed by the 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Progressives are going to have to work their butts off in Montana to keep Senator Tester in office, as I wrote previously about the importance of the Native vote helping Tester to score a 3,652 vote victory over GOP’s Conrad Burns in the 2006 US Senate race.  Tester earned over 80% of the vote on Indian Reservations and will need a strong turn-out to defeat GOP Congressman Denny Rehberg.

Tester is working his butt off, recently completing a 4-day, 1,700 mile campaign swing to connect with voters across the State.  The polls show the candidates in a razor thin race with each campaign claiming to have a point or two lead.

The GOTV effort in Indian Country and the National Congress of American Indians will be put to the test in Montana, North Dakota and Wisconsin in tight U.S. Senate races where they could tip the scale to an extension of the Democratic Senate majority.

Theron “Scarlet Raven” Thompson is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota Sioux) of the Lake Traverse Reservation.  He publishes articles on Tribal Issues, Energy, Economic Development, Business, Gaming, and Marketing.  He can be reached at theron@scarletraven.com and his blog is www.scarletravenpowwow.blogspot.com