Arizona Democrats win when the Family Votes!
Family Votes 2022
Let’s be clear: The 2020 elections were fair and free. Voters across the country and in Arizona turned out, despite a global pandemic, especially in tribal and rural communities. In fact, the U.S. saw one of the highest voter turnouts since 1900 (and remember how many people were not allowed to vote in 1900). We did this using every tool available, including the expanded use of mail-in voting. The process was absolutely secure.
And how did the Republicans respond to getting beat? As of mid January the Brennan Center cited 27 states that are considering more than 250 bills that further restrict voting, including more than 100 bills in Arizona. They target Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian voters. This diminishes democracy.
In November of 2020, the country and the state of Arizona saw the power of Native American voters. Much of this success was due to Native women because they are the family matriarchs and lead not only their families, but also their communities. Very similar to Black and Brown women in other communities.
We won’t let Republicans suppress our vote
The Northeast Arizona Native Democrats reintroduced and officially launched the Family Votes program. This initiative is aimed at recruiting, training, and supporting matriarchs as they register their families and communities to vote. This program is an extension of year round community organizing efforts and a direct response to counter legislation that already limits Arizona rural and tribal voters.
We are joining forces with the Apache and Coconino County Democratic Parties and many other advocates and allies to raise awareness, register voters, and increase the turnout in the midterm elections.
The 2020 elections is more proof that local organizing works and it’s extremely effective, especially when led by Indigenous women. This is a key investment that will increase voter registration and turnout across our region for this midterm election. The women will become our newest precinct committee members (PCs) within the county Democratic party and will support the work of reaching out to high potential voters, infrequent, and new voters who are crucial to Arizona success.
Family Votes has already recruited several matriarchs who’ve worked with us in 2020 and who have decades of experience from previous campaign efforts. Navajo, White Mountain Apache, and Hopi women like Roz Whitehair, Joanne Peshlakai, Loretta Chino, Priscilla Weaver, Jane Benally, Marian Quintero, and Lorraine Coin. These women are incredible volunteers and have stepped up time and time again to register voters on Navajo, Apache, and Hopi lands. They are fluent speakers who carry a vast amount of knowledge. They know how to reach our communities. So now is the time to pass along their experiences and teach the next generation of community organizers. This is why we created Family Votes.
Matriarchs from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and White Mountain, Yavapai, and San Carlos Apache Nations will be recruited, trained, and provided kits for the 2022 midterms. Matriarch volunteers utilize all relational organizing tools and strategies customized for their communities. Volunteers will register new voters, educate current voters, and get them to the polls.
What we are up against
Some of 2021 Arizona voter bills signed into law by the Republican governor of Arizona:
Abolished the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) and purges of voters (SB1485)
Further restrict grants and funding opportunities for county elections offices (HB 2569)
Further restrict and reduce the time to getting missing signatures on ballots (if a missing signature is not cured by this new deadline, the ballot will be thrown out). (SB1003)
Some of the 2022 Arizona voter suppression bills introduced and legislative trends:
Bills that would eliminate or reduce the use of drop boxes
Bills that would eliminate or severely curtail early voting, emergency voting, and voting by mail
Bills that would modify voter registration requirements and voter registration systems
Bills that would increase voter identification requirements at all stages of the voting process
Bills that would overhaul or modify how elections are
Bills Impacting Democracy
HB 2238: prevents county recorder or other election officer from using an unmonitored drop box for receiving early ballots
HB 2602: limits emergency voting to cases of "genuine emergency" such as war, civil unrest, or natural disaster
SB 1629: requires voter registration application to include the voter's residential address
HB 2242: requires county recorder verify the name, address, and DOB of the voter are valid and accurate
SB 1335: prevents establishment of vote centers; allows only for precinct-based voting
We need your support
We officially launched the Family Votes program Tuesday, February 7th, 2022!
Our fundraising goal is $50,000 to successfully implement this initiative across the three Arizona counties that helped deliver election wins for the Democrats in the midterm elections.
This is a significant early investment and is essential to creating a stronger Democratic Party in Arizona.
The funds support our matriarchs and directly invests in the community by way of providing stipends, transportation, t-shirts, cover printing costs, ads, training, and other education material.
To stop these malicious and suppressive policies by Republicans we are working with our sister organizations in Coconino and Apache Counties to ramp up voter and civic engagement programs. Investing and turning out this key voting bloc for Democratic candidates is crucial.
Donate today! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/navajoconativeorganizing
Checks may also be mailed to: Navajo County Democrats PO Box 144, Lakeside, AZ 85929 · (928) 224-8021
Stay connected with us and help amplify the work!
Other easy ways you can help:
Help amplify our initiative by recommending this article, share our press release, and use our social media kit to post and share with your networks.
Thank you for your support and helping to spotlight our stories.
Jaynie Parrish, Executive Director
Navajo County Democrats
jpnavajoco@gmail.com
