Native American voters

Native Americans hope to be a big factor in Oklahoma's US Senate race. Many Native American tribes have worked for months to register new voters. <br/><br/>With the race between Tom Coburn and Brad

Friday, September 24th 2004, 6:52 am

By: News On 6

Native Americans hope to be a big factor in Oklahoma's US Senate race. Many Native American tribes have worked for months to register new voters.

With the race between Tom Coburn and Brad Carson so close, every vote counts. Many experts believe Native Americans could be a force in the election. It all depends on turnout.

ORU assistant professor Dr Tim Brooker: "Native Americans voters are one of those groups that are traditionally underperforming as far as constituencies are concerned in that they don't turn out in great numbers."

Native American voter Chebon Wacoche: "If you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain. So if you don't like the way things are going, you need to get out and vote. Your vote does matter. It does count."

Many tribes plan registration drives between now and November. The Cherokee Nation, for example, hopes to register 15,000 new voters by the election.