Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Every November, Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of Indigenous communities across the country. From Native American and Alaska Native to Native Hawaiian and Island communities, this month is a chance to honor their histories while uplifting the leaders, organizers, and storytellers shaping a more inclusive future.
At DSPolitical, we’re proud to support Indigenous leaders whose advocacy and vision continue to strengthen our democracy. Through our work with Native American candidates across the country, we’re committed to ensuring that Indigenous voices are represented and heard year-round.
Learn more about some of the incredible Native American candidates we partnered with in 2024 here.
Reclaiming the Narrative: Getting Native Voter Data Right
In every election cycle, polling headlines shape the national conversation. But when it comes to Native voters, those stories are often incomplete or inaccurate. In national exit polls from the 2024 election, most polls failed to capture Indigenous voices accurately. Too often, these polls rely on tiny sample sizes, overlook tribal areas entirely, or lump Native respondents into broader racial categories. It creates a distorted view that erases the diversity, identity, and political influence of Native communities.
Several major outlets repeated national exit poll data claiming that the majority of Native voters supported Donald Trump. But a closer look at a more comprehensive study tells a different story. According to the 2024 American National Electorate Voter Poll, conducted by African American Research Collaborative (AARC) and BSP Research, 57% of Native voters supported Kamala Harris, while only 39% voted for Trump—a significant contrast to what national headlines reported.
The findings serve as a reminder that representation begins with accuracy. Leaving Indigenous voters out of the data doesn’t just create gaps, it silences communities that have long fought to be seen and heard. But when Indigenous voters are meaningfully represented, the picture that emerges is richer, more complex, and far more reflective of reality—a reality where Native communities continue to play a vital role in shaping America’s political future.
The Gaps in Native Voter Data
When polling fails to capture the full scope of Indigenous experiences, it doesn’t just distort the data; it weakens our collective understanding of voter behavior, policy priorities, and the true reach of the Indigenous community.
To bridge this gap, the African American Research Collaborative (AARC) and BSP Research took deliberate steps in their 2024 National Electorate Voter Poll to ensure Indigenous voices were authentically reflected. Their methodology went beyond surface-level identification: respondents who cited distant ancestry were screened out, while the survey intentionally included Native Americans living both on and near tribal lands. In fact, 58% of respondents lived on or near reservations, and 43% reported speaking a Native language at home. By recognizing how culture and place shape political identity, this data offers a clearer, more authentic view of Native voter engagement.
Still, systemic barriers persist. A Brennan Center for Justice report released in November 2024 found that across six election years and 21 states, more than 440,000 addresses were missing from voter files, with 93% of those missing addresses located on tribal lands. These data gaps translate to real obstacles at the ballot box: inaccessible polling locations, burdensome ID laws, and state requirements for physical addresses that exclude many Native voters. Until these inequities are addressed, Indigenous voices will continue to remain undercounted—both in political data and in democracy itself.
Closing the Gaps & Continuing the Work
Addressing inequities in Native voter data requires centering Indigenous leadership and investing in long-term solutions that go beyond election cycles. Expanding partnerships with Native-led research organizations, improving coordination between state election offices and tribal governments, and increasing funding for data collection in tribal areas are essential first steps.
Pollsters and campaigns must also commit to culturally competent research practices—engaging Native communities directly, offering language accessibility, and respecting tribal sovereignty throughout the process. Technology can play a major role, too: advanced data tools and geolocation methods can help reach voters in remote areas and ensure more accurate representation in voter files.
At DSPolitical, we believe that closing these gaps isn’t just about better data—it’s about building trust, visibility, and lasting representation for Native communities.