Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Turning 18 in the past may have meant being able to stay out late, getting into a dance club, or join the military. Today, more 18 year-olds are rushing out to register to vote than ever before."Everybody’s vote makes a difference", said Aubree Hamby, who registered to vote at the Cherokee Nation on her 18th birthday. "Now that I’m 18, I can actually have a voice locally and nationally. I realize whatever happens around the world can affect us here."
The Cherokee Nation is currently registering voters at all of their offices and is working to increase voter awareness through their Get Out The Vote campaign. The Cherokee Nation has registered 25,000 new voters since 2000 and hopes to register an additional 10,000 this year.
"Were seeing a lot of young people register this year", said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "I think our message to encourage people to vote is really hitting home."
Hamby was encouraged to register by her mother, Paula Hamby.
"I realize how important it is and as Cherokee people we could, if everyone would register, have a big influence on who is in office", Paula Hamby said. "If we’d all join together we could have a pretty powerful voice."
| Related contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |