Despite the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, the Nationality Act in 1940, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Native American voters continue to face unique challenges when exercising their right to vote. The Frank Harrison, Elizabeth Peratrovich, and Miguel Trujillo Native American Voting Rights Act (NAVRA) was introduced in 2021 to address lingering barriers. The bipartisan bill did not pass but it brought attention to what is needed to protect the constitutionally guaranteed right of Native Americans to vote: expand the types of facilities that can be used as voter registration agencies; increase polling site accessibility, including expanding early in-person voting and providing ballot drop boxes; provide enforcement power to citizens and attorneys general; require approval for actions like moving a polling place; validate certain tribal identification for voting or registering to vote; permit voters to designate another individual to return a ballot on their behalf; and expand requirements for bilingual voting accessibility. In addition, increase voter outreach, education, registration, turnout, and accessibility for Native American communities. The exhibit is on display at venues across the United States -- including at law schools, state and local bar associations, national and local conferences, courthouses, state capitol buildings, law firms, and other community buildings. If you would like to rent or purchase the new traveling exhibit, please contact Anne P. Brown, Director, Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress, at [email protected]. Your support of this exhibit–prominently displayed at events throughout the country—will demonstrate a historic commitment to advancing civil and social rights, and the rule of law.
Rent or Purchase - the Traveling Exhibit!The Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress marked the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower Compact with a traveling exhibit, "Join In! The Rise of Self-Governance and American Organizing from the Mayflower Compact to the Modern Day." Beginning with the Mayflower Compact and transitioning to the exploration of how American voluntary associations and civil societies are created, built, and sustained over time, the exhibit features content and commentary from the Law Library of Congress’ collections representing organizations from across the nation and across time. The exhibit examines the longstanding impulse of Americans to join together for a common purpose—to shape their society through fellowship, charitable and mutual aid, labor unions, emergency services, political reform, and community associations; and the tools they adopted to do so. The exhibit was displayed at venues across the United States and builds off the success of the Standing Committee's award-winning 19th Amendment traveling exhibit that reached over 130 venues nationwide (including state and local bar associations, national and local conferences, law schools, courthouses, state capitol buildings, law firms, and other community buildings).
Rent or Purchase the new exhibit - on Native American Voting Rights
Law Library of Congress Rare Book Curator Nathan Dorn displays a selection of new additions to the rare book collection of the Law Library of Congress.
Learn more about events hosted by the Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress including programs at the ABA Annual and Midyear meetings, ABA Day and more.
The Standing Committee highlights the resources of the Law Library of Congress and offers links to key government web sites.
The Law Day theme for 2020 is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” The Law Library of Congress hosted ABA President Judy Perry Martinez in the Library of Congress on March 11, 2020 for a conversation about the legacy of the 19th Amendment with Law Librarian of Congress and Deputy Librarian of Library Collections and Services Jane Sánchez. Discussed are the lessons learned from the suffrage movement, and how the work of securing equal rights for women is still a struggle that continues into the present day.
Click Here - To View Video100 years after the 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote in the United States, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit discussed that watershed moment and the continued fight for equal rights for women that has followed.
Click Here to - Watch VideoOn April 30, 2020, the ABA and the Law Library of Congress jointly hosted a Law Day virtual program, Social Movement Changing America: The Legacies of the 19th Amendment. Kimberly Adams moderated a panel discussion featuring Martha S. Jones, Thomas Saenz and Julie Suk.
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