Lakota Forward Promotes Voter Turnout in South Dakota

The political action committee aims to bolster Indigenous participation across nine reservation communities in South Dakota.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Native American

Screen-print poster illustration featuring a bundle of tied prairie grass on a wooden surface against a prairie landscape. — Lakota Forward is mobilizing voters across nine South Dakota reservation communities to strengthen civic engagement and support Indigenous political candidates. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do mainstream political parties do enough to earn the trust of historically disaffected local communities?

Lakota Forward works to support Indigenous candidates and increase voter engagement throughout South Dakota. The organization focuses on connecting residents in nine reservation communities with essential political resources.

Why it matters

Low voter turnout on reservations is tied to a historical lack of trust in government stemming from treaties and federal policies. Lakota Forward seeks to bridge this gap by integrating traditional value systems into its outreach initiatives.

In 2024, voter turnout in Oglala Lakota County remained under 40 percent, significantly trailing the 70 percent turnout recorded across South Dakota. Lakota Forward directs its efforts toward nine reservation communities.

The players

Lakota Forward

This political action committee operates in South Dakota to support Indigenous political candidates and improve voter participation.

The details

The initiative coordinates outreach efforts that emphasize the integration of Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota values into civic education. By supporting Indigenous candidates, the organization attempts to build greater political awareness within these reservation populations.

Treaties during the 1800s established the initial policies that shaped community trust in government.
South Dakota recorded its statewide and county-level voter turnout percentages in 2024.

Culture Shift

The organization's work follows the pattern set by the 1800s treaties regarding the long-term political relationship between the state and Indigenous communities. By emphasizing traditional value systems, the group seeks to reconcile historical distrust with contemporary civic participation.

Residents in reservation communities may see increased access to voter information and political resources through the group's outreach efforts. The initiative aims to shift the routine of political participation for those previously disenfranchised by historical policies.

The takeaway

Empowering voters requires addressing the deep-rooted historical skepticism that often persists in marginalized communities. Increasing civic participation depends on bridging the distance between legacy government institutions and local, value-based advocacy.