Native Americans have a long history of political disenfranchisement. Today, restrictive voting practices exclude tribal voters from the electorate and discriminatory citizenship policies limit Native American representation in politics. Innovative solutions are needed to increase access to voting and protect Native political participation.

The Native American Rights Fund and the Brennan Center for Justice are working together to uncover both the challenges to equitable political engagement and the opportunities to cultivate it. At the one-day Democracy Reform Summit, we will join Arizona State University’s Indian Legal Clinic to host policymakers, experts in civic engagement, legal advocates, and leading researchers to discuss strategies for expanding Native American political representation.

Join us on Friday, October 3, at Arizona State University’s Beus Center for Law and Society for a discussion about how to counter antidemocratic reforms and reenvision a democracy that amplifies Native voices.

Produced in partnership with the Native American Rights Fund and the Indian Legal Clinic at ASU Law

Venue:
Beus Center for Law and Society
Arizona State University
111 E Taylor St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
 

Friday, October 3, 2025
8:00 AM - 9:00 AMBreakfast and Check-In 
9:00 AM - 9:10 AMWelcome and Keynote Introduction 

Matthew Campbell, Deputy Director, Native American Rights Fund 

Chelsea Jones, Research Fellow, Brennan Center for Justice 

9:10 AM - 10:00 AMKeynote Address

David Wilkins, E. Claiborne Roberts Distinguished Professor, University of Richmond 

10:00 AM - 11:10 AMRoundtable: State of Play of Native Voting Rights at the Federal Level 

Exploring threats to the Voting Rights Act and prospects for strengthening it, the need to pass the Native American Voting Rights Act, and the efforts to build a grassroots movement in support of federal Native voting rights legislation.  

Speakers: 

  • Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Charles M. Brewer Professor of Trial Advocacy Arizona State University (facilitator) 

  • Eileen O’Connor, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice 

  • Jacqueline De León, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund 

  • Judith LeBlanc, Executive Director, Native Organizers Alliance 

11:10 AM - 12:20 PMEthical Data Analysis on Tribal Voting and Voters 

Discussing how data can help advance Native voting rights, how gaps in research have limited the public understanding of Native political participation, and how researchers can work to address those gaps while protecting tribal sovereignty. 

Speakers:  

  • Megan Gall, Principal, Blockwell Consulting (facilitator) 

  • Dan McCool, Professor Emeritus, University of Utah 

  • Melissa Rogers, Professor, Claremont Graduate University 

  • Gary Bohnee, Director of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community 

12:20 PM - 1:35 PMLunch Break 
1:35 PM - 3:20 PMFacing Current Threats and Expanding Rights in the States 

Discussing ongoing policy threats to the Native vote, how civic engagement leaders navigate those threats, and how state and local policy and practice can increase access to voting for Native communities.  

Speakers: 

  • Allison Neswood, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund (facilitator) 

  • Nicole Donaghy, Executive Director, North Dakota Native Vote 

  • Zara Stevens, Director, Native Vote Washington 

  • Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, Pima County Recorder 

3:20 PM - 4:10 PMGroup Civic Engagement Strategizing and Sharing Out

An opportunity to engage with summit attendees, share ideas, and reenvision the future of democracy and Native political participation.

4:10 PM - 4:15 PMClosing Remarks