"Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said Gov. Doug Ducey's actions belittle tribes and fail to recognize the unique challenges Native people face when casting ballots"
"FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Arizona Republicans say the voter restrictions they're pushing after President Joe Biden's win in the state last year are designed to strengthen the integrity of future elections.
To some, the changes will make voting more difficult than it already is.
The bills, some signed into law last week by Gov. Doug Ducey, are worrisome for Native people who live in remote areas, other communities of color and voters whose first language isn't English.
One codifies the existing practice of giving voters who didn't sign mail-in ballots until 7 p.m. on Election Day to do so, defying a recently settled lawsuit that would have given voters additional days to provide a signature. Another will result in potentially tens of thousands of people being purged from a list of voters who automatically get a ballot by mail.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said Ducey's actions belittle tribes and fail to recognize the unique challenges Native people face when casting ballots. That includes driving hours to reach polling places, unreliable mail service and the need for more Native language translators."
Felicia Fonseca reports for the Associated Press May 18, 2021.
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