NCAI launches updated Native Get Out the Vote push with toolkits, videos and planned mini‑grants

The National Congress of American Indians on a recorded webinar outlined a short-term project to refresh its Native Get Out the Vote campaign and to equip tribal leaders with toolkits, videos and planned mini‑grants to boost turnout in key states.

Dr. Aaron Payman, NCAI’s designated Get Out the Vote campaign manager, said the one‑month project is a contract between NCAI and Kaufman & Associates and includes a launch video, trusted‑messenger videos, a refreshed nativevote.org site and training for tribal leaders on media engagement. "We've got some pretty exciting Indian celebrities that are, recording messages that will be unveiled on our website, nativevote.org," Payman said.

Mark McCarroll, President of the National Congress of American Indians and tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians, said the campaign is timed to emphasize turnout in narrowly decided races: "The native vote can be the deciding vote this election. Be the margin of victory, honor the past, and prepare for the future." McCarroll also tied the effort to the 100th anniversary of the Snyder Act of 1924, saying the milestone underscores why tribal civic participation matters.

NCAI said mini‑grants are in a "second iteration" of the project and remain in formulation. Larry Wright Jr., Executive Director of NCAI, described the intended breadth: eligible applicants will include tribal governments, Native‑led 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations and Native collectives. Proposed eligible activities include increasing civic participation, youth and elder engagement programs, coalition building, communications/outreach and data or analysis tools.

Wright emphasized that the aim is to support—rather than replace—local grassroots efforts by providing resources tribal communities can use for door‑to‑door outreach and other on‑the‑ground activities. "We really wanted to focus on areas that we can help to mobilize Indian country better and help elevate the message," he said.

NCAI plans additional training webinars and encouraged tribal leaders to visit nativevote.org for toolkits, application guidance and media training resources. The organization also said partners from philanthropy have supported the effort and that additional regional outreach is possible via a planned roadshow in a later phase.

The webinar concluded with an open discussion and instructions for tribal leaders to submit ideas and applications through the website; NCAI scheduled follow‑up webinars and advised attendees of registration links on nativevote.org.