Gila River Indian Community Praises Decision to Block Voter Suppression Laws in Arizona

October 6, 2023

Press Release

Communications & Public Affairs Office

Sacaton, AZ – The Gila River Indian Community received a favorable ruling in a lawsuit against the State of Arizona with regards to voting rights of tribal members and other plaintiffs against HB 2492, a law signed by former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey.

On Sept. 14, 2023, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled against a 2022 state law that required proof of a physical address and other provisions that suppress Native American voters from casting ballots.

“The Gila River Indian Community is pleased with the decision, which will ensure our Community members can exercise their right to vote using tribal identification and our reservation addresses,” said Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis. “We continue to fight for our voice to be heard through our vote and will challenge any attempts to suppress our votes, because as we have shown in the last several elections our Community’s vote counts and the Native vote matters.”

Judge Bolton’s ruling blocked voting laws that would require tribal members, who rely on P.O. Boxes, from providing a standard street address when registering to vote, which would have disproportionately targeted tribal members who live on the reservation.