Earlier today, Senator Mark Begich introduced a bill in the United States Senate to protect Alaska Native voters from discrimination. Senator Begich’s bill, the “Native Voting Rights Act of 2014” (“NatiVRA”), would require close scrutiny of the closure of polling places and voter registration in Native communities, mandate acceptance by election officials of identification cards issued by federally recognized tribes and Native corporations, and provide increased protections for Native voters who cannot understand complex voting materials written in English. The bill creates a presumption of discrimination where Natives are denied equal access to voting and registration opportunities provided to non-Natives. Finally, it would enhance federal oversight of voting in tribal areas and Native villages.
You can find the text of the bill embedded in Senator Tester’s press release.