In the leadup to U.S. elections, Democrats and Republicans have flocked the furthest reaches of 22 Native American reservations in Arizona in a bid to pick up votes. Native Americans, who make up about 5% of the state’s population, voted in big numbers for the Democratic party in 2020. They were credited with helping President Joe Biden win in 2000 by about 10,500 votes. Those same voters have long lacked basic things like running water and jobs on reservations. They have historically faced massive logistical barriers to casting ballots, and voter suppression efforts. Now, their question for politicians is: What have you ever done for us?
