NUIFC Press Release // The National Urban Indian Family Coalition Partners with When We All Vote to close Urban American Indian & Alaska Native Voting Gap in 2020 election
CONTACT
Janeen Comenote, Executive Director
National Urban Indian Family Coalition
jcomenote@nuifc.org, 206-551-9933
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2020
THE NATIONAL URBAN INDIAN FAMILY COALITION PARTNERS WITH WHEN WE ALL VOTE TO CLOSE URBAN AMERICAN INDIAN & ALASKA NATIVE VOTING GAP IN THE 2020 ELECTION
SEATTLE, WA — The National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC) has launched a partnership with When We All Vote to enhance our shared goals of increasing voter engagement from overlooked and underrepresented communities in the 2020 election.
When We All Vote is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization launched by Co-Chair Michelle Obama in 2018 to increase participation in every election. When We All Vote is a mission to change the culture around voting and close the race and age voting gap to ensure every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote.
“The NUIFC’s Native Vote 2020 initiative is the most ambitious civic and voter engagement effort in Indian Country’s history, and we know that this partnership will help both organizations accomplish even more.”
This partnership will draw upon the NUIFC’s expertise of Urban Indian America and the voter registration resources of When We All Vote to conduct broad outreach and engagement with the often overlooked but critical Urban Indian voter. More than 70 percent of all American Indians and Alaska Natives reside in metropolitan areas, with roughly 40 percent of all eligible Native voters living in 36 cities. Put simply; Urban Indian voices need to be heard in elections across the country.
The NUIFC is actively working with over 40 urban Indian community centers across Indian Country. These efforts would be bolstered by When We All Vote’s extensive civic engagement infrastructure, which would allow the NUIFC to create a comprehensive voter registration portal for millions of urban Indians and work with their communities to ensure their ballots are cast safely and counted.
“The NUIFC cannot do this work alone. Our partnership with When We All Vote will provide critical support for our voter registration and voter education efforts. It’s also a recognition that Native people are a robust and critical cornerstone of our democracy,” said Janeen Comenote (Quinault), the Executive Director of the NUIFC. “The NUIFC’s Native Vote 2020 initiative is the most ambitious civic and voter engagement effort in Indian Country’s history, and we know that this partnership will help both organizations accomplish even more.”
About the National Urban Indian Family Coalition
Founded in 2003, the mission of the NUIFC is to elevate a national voice and sustain Indigenous values and culture through a strong network of urban Indian organizations. The goals of the NUIFC are to build a movement that promotes advocacy, enhances resources, and mobilizes systems to integrate Urban Indian issues in policy discussions and implementation and to sustain indigenous values and culture within urban communities. Learn more by visiting www.nuifc.org.
About When We All Vote
When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit launched by Co-Chair Michelle Obama in 2018 on a mission to change the culture around voting by bringing together citizens, institutions, brands, and organizations to increase participation in every election. They are also on a mission to close the race and age voting gap and empower all eligible voters to cast their ballot by harnessing grassroots energy, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing digital organizing strategies.