Local Politics · Oglala Lakota County
Lakota Forward Works to Boost Native Voter Turnout Ahead of Election Day
A group of Lakota legislative candidates has formed the organization Lakota Forward to increase Native American voter participation, citing a 31-percentage-point turnout gap between Oglala Lakota County (39%) and statewide South Dakota (70%) in 2024. House candidate Lewis GrassRope for District 26B said the group aims to support native candidates and encourage community members to vote through conversations with elders, social media outreach, and fundraising. The organization frames participation as essential to addressing issues like incarceration rates, poverty, and education disparities affecting Native communities. Early voting is already open in South Dakota, with Election Day approximately 18 days from the article's publication.