Secretary Fontes Designates Native Health as a Voter Registration Agency in Arizona

PHOENIX - Secretary of State Adrian Fontes joined healthcare workers and Native American voters on Saturday to officially designate Native Health as a Voter Registration Agency.

"As Secretary of State, one of my primary goals is to ensure that all eligible citizens in Arizona have an easy and convenient opportunity to vote,” Secretary Fontes said. “Native Americans face unique barriers to registration and too often have been excluded from voter registration opportunities. This designation empowers Native Health to assist individuals with the voter registration process, making it easier for eligible citizens to exercise their rights and be heard as part of our democratic process.”

Significant hurdles exist for Native Americans looking to register to vote, such as not frequenting other NVRA designated sites like DMVs, frequent changes of address and use of P.O. boxes.

With locations throughout the Phoenix area, Native Health emphasizes civic engagement due to its positive impact on the mental and physical health of the communities it serves.

Secretary Fontes’ action empowers Native Health to assist individuals in registering to vote through various methods such as intake registrations, registration kiosks, and community events registration.

The designation was made under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which empowers states to designate an organization as a Voter Registration Agency. In addition, President Biden issued a groundbreaking federal Executive Order with the purpose of expanding voter registration through increased use of this provision of NVRA.