BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — For their efforts in working with North Dakota’s Tribal Nations to ensure their voters are verified and have the legal identification to vote, the American Bar Association (ABA) Task Force for American Democracy is honoring North Dakota Native Vote with this year’s “Unsung Heroes of Democracy” award.

“The award is for upholding the rule of law and promoting democracy,” said ND Native Vote’s Executive Director Nicole Donaghy. “We worked with all of the Tribes to ensure that our people have less stumbling blocks to the ballot and the polling site.”

Since 2004, the State of North Dakota has required all voters to show an approved identification card in order to vote. The state legislature passed a new Voter ID law in 2016 that restricted the forms of identification that were accepted, and it was legally challenged in court.

However, shortly before the 2018 election, the Supreme Court decided not to overturn North Dakota’s Voter ID Law. Following that decision by the court, the non-partisan organization, North Dakota Native Vote, was founded.

Donaghy says their organization has been busy educating Native American voters across the state about North Dakota’s Voter ID Law, as well as informing them about how they can register to vote.

“The Voter ID law had the ability to disenfranchise about 5,000 Native American people,” she explained. “That law is still in place, and that’s why North Dakota Native Vote is in existence — so that we can work with our Native communities, boost voter confidence, and make sure that our people know what’s on the ballot.”

Donaghy adds that North Dakota Native Vote is also receiving the award for their work in advocating for Native American voters to have equal access to polling places, and that they aim to continue their efforts in challenging what she says are ‘discriminatory voter ID laws.’

North Dakota Native Vote will officially receive the award later this month at the ABA Conference in Chicago.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Today's Top Stories

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KX NEWS.