October 29, 2026
Get out the Native Vote efforts for the midterm elections 2026
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Minnesota voters will head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect candidates for federal, state and local offices. With election results unavailable at press time, over the past few months, the Mille Lacs Band Government Affairs team has focused its efforts on voter education and increasing participation throughout the Band's districts.
Races on the ballot include U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, attorney general, judicial seats and numerous local government offices.
These elections are particularly important to the Mille Lacs Band and other tribal nations because elected officials make decisions affecting federal trust responsibilities, government funding, tribal sovereignty and legislation impacting Indian Country.
To help make voting more accessible, the Government Affairs team partnered with election officials in Aitkin, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties to offer early in-person voting opportunities on October 14. Voting locations included the Blidaabanookwe Government Center, Minisinaakwaang Community Center and Meshakwad Community Center.
The initiative was part of the Band's ongoing efforts to encourage informed voter participation and ensure Band members have opportunities to make their voices heard in elections that affect their communities.
