The Indian Electorate in South Dakota Politics

In recent years the Indian vote has become a crucial aspect of South Dakota elections.  In 2002, John Thune lost his Senate bid against Tim Johnson by 524 votes and the Indian vote played a big part in that (see John Fund's chapter on South Dakota in his book Stealing Elections).  Their vote played a big part in 2004 as well.  While Daschle received 1,000 more votes in Shannon County than Johnson did in 2002, Thune more than doubled his vote from 2002, from 248 to 564.  Daschle carried more raw votes than 2002, but Thune showed respectable gains percentage-wise.  The Argus Leader this morning notes that their votes may again play a big role in November, especially on the abortion ban.  Excerpt:

Since 2002, when Sen. Tim Johnson narrowly won a re-election bid against then-Rep. John Thune in large measure because newly registered Indian voters overwhelmingly backed him, the emerging power of the Indian electorate has been notable in South Dakota politics.

As the state decides whether to retain or reject its abortion ban on Nov. 7, the role of Indian voters might again affect the outcome.

"In our culture, they put children number one. That's still there, it always will be there," says Mabel Two Lance, 62, of Pine Ridge.

At the same time, many in Indian Country want little to do with a vote they say won't affect them - because the tribes are sovereign nations.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe is at the center of speculation over Indian votes and the abortion ban for several reasons. Voter-registration drives around Pine Ridge in the past five years have enfranchised thousands of new voters, and tribal members this year recalled chairwoman Cecilia Fire Thunder after she announced she would build an abortion clinic at Pine Ridge. Bruce Whalen, a tribal member and the Republican challenger to Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth in the U.S. House race, also has made his anti-abortion stance a centerpiece of his campaign.

But there seems to be no unanimity of opinion about Referred Law 6, the abortion ban, at Pine Ridge or elsewhere in Indian Country.

Be sure to read the whole story.

UPDATE:  In more news regarding Indian Country, the Argus Leader reports that the Oglala Sioux Tribe will proceed with a general election on Tuesday.  The primary election results had been challenged earlier by an election appeals board claiming uncounted and inconsistent voting numbers in a district on Pine Ridge, but the tribal council has decided to proceed with the general election.  They will be choosing a tribal chairman, vice chairman, and tribal council members.