Protecting Alaska Natives' right to vote -- no matter what language they speak -- is critical (fwd link)

[Phil Cash Cash]

Protecting Alaska Natives' right to vote -- no matter what language they
speak -- is critical


Julie Kitka

June 11, 2014

In an important Alaska voting rights case being tried in U.S. District
Court this month, the state has asserted it isn’t required by law to
translate all election materials into Native languages and that in general
its language program is adequate. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason
overruled the state, saying the constitutional right to vote requires
Alaska to translate all election materials into Native languages.

The Alaska Federation of Natives has long endeavored to protect Alaskans'
right to vote. While the state has been slow to recognize the challenges
facing Alaska Native voters, the federal government – including our Alaska
Congressional Delegation and the federal Department of Justice – has been
quickening its pace.

Access full article below:

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20140611/protecting-alaska-natives-right-vote-no-matter-what-language-they-speak-critical
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