Recent exit polls conducted by the National Election Pool and Edison Research have included data on Native voter preferences in the 2024 presidential election. However, concerns have been raised about the accuracy of this data in representing Native communities.
Issues such as small sample sizes, lack of representation from those living on reservations, and self-identification challenges contribute to potential inaccuracies. An exit poll involving 229 self-identified Native voters is seen as insufficient to fully capture the complexities of the election.
Preliminary state-specific outcomes suggest that support for Democratic candidates tends to increase with a higher population of Native Americans. In states like Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, counties with majority Native populations showed stronger support for Democratic candidates compared to Republican ones. Conversely, in Oklahoma's majority Native counties, there was a preference for the Republican candidate.
These results are preliminary and subject to change as more data is collected and votes continue to be counted in Western states with significant Native American populations.
Jacqueline De León, Staff Attorney at the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), emphasized the importance of accurate data collection regarding Native voter preferences while acknowledging systemic obstacles that hinder their participation. "It is important to gather and share accurate data about Native voter preferences," she stated. "But it is equally important that we acknowledge the systemic obstacles that are keeping Native voices from being heard at all."
De León highlighted issues such as long distances to polling locations, inadequate housing, and lack of home mail delivery as barriers preventing equitable voting opportunities for Native communities. She posed critical questions: "How many voters were disenfranchised this election season? How many votes were left on the table?" She stressed the need for both accurate reporting on the influence of Native voters and continued efforts toward ensuring free and fair elections where they can have a voice.
