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 Headline: Arizona’s Key Role in the 2024 Presidential Race Hinges on Independent and Indigenous Voters.

With tensions high after the 2020 election, the Navajo Nation and independent voters in Arizona may be decisive in a contest where every vote counts.

Today on ‘Al Jazeera's’ podcast, we're discussing a crucial factor in the upcoming U.S. presidential election—the Navajo Nation. Data reveals that in the last election, the majority of the Navajo Nation voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Arizona, a state with many independent voters and the largest Native American reservation, is now a key battleground for the presidency. Which way will it lean in the upcoming election?

 

2. Setting the Scene

I'm Will Al, and this is ‘The Take’. The upcoming election is extremely close, almost a toss-up, according to current polls. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in states like Arizona and across the U.S. Today, I'm joined by Rob Reynolds, Senior Correspondent for ‘Al Jazeera English’. Rob has been covering Arizona closely, one of the critical battleground states for 2024.

 

3. Election Climate in Arizona

Rob, welcome back to ‘The Take’. You’ve just returned from Arizona. Can you tell us about the situation there, especially after the tension surrounding the 2020 election, when Trump’s supporters launched the "Stop the Steal" campaign? In Phoenix, things got heated, with people armed with guns and pitchforks surrounding the election office. How are officials preparing for this year’s election, given what happened last time?

 

4. Security Measures

It’s good to be back, Malika. Yes, Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, is one of the largest voting jurisdictions in the U.S. In 2020, after Trump claimed he won the election and alleged widespread fraud, many of his supporters protested. Election officials we spoke to described that time as shocking and anxiety-inducing. Since then, they’ve implemented more security measures, like installing a large iron fence around the vote-counting center, to prevent similar incidents. They’ve also tightened internal systems to ensure transparency, allowing both Democratic and Republican observers to monitor the process closely.

 

5. Concerns of a Repeat

Many people fear that we could see a repeat of the chaos from 2020. I spoke with Bill Gates (not the Microsoft billionaire), a lifelong Republican and county supervisor in Maricopa. Gates, responsible for overseeing vote counting, faced vile threats against his family, especially his daughters, after the election. The emotional toll has been enormous, and he expressed concern that this type of hostility could ultimately erode democracy itself.

 

6. Role of the Navajo Nation

Arizona has always been a Republican stronghold, but in 2020, it flipped narrowly for Biden, thanks in part to the Navajo Nation. The Navajo are the largest Native American tribe, with over 67,000 voters, and they overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020. The Navajo vote was crucial in Biden's narrow victory in Arizona, which he won by just over 10,000 votes.

 

7. Navajo Leadership Encouraging Voter Turnout

This year, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has been encouraging his people to vote, emphasizing that their participation could determine the next president and influence the direction of the nation. He reminded Navajo voters of their elders’ sacrifices, noting how past generations walked or traveled by wagon for miles to cast their votes, understanding the significance of being included in the democratic process.

 

8. The Biden-Harris Administration's Efforts

The Biden administration has made significant efforts to support Native American communities, appointing Deb Hedland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, as the Secretary of the Interior. This was a historic move, as she became the first Native American to hold this cabinet post, directly impacting policy on Native land and national monuments. Last year, President Biden designated a vast area around the Grand Canyon as a national monument, protecting it from potential uranium mining, a decision that resonated deeply with Native communities.

 

9. Importance of the Native Vote in 2024

Given this history, it’s likely that the Native vote will again lean Democratic in 2024. But the question remains: are Harris and her running mate Tim Walz doing enough to secure that support? The campaign has placed a heavy emphasis on reaching Native voters, with 20 paid staff members working to increase turnout in tribal areas, aiming for at least a 2% increase.

 

10. Concerns of Native Voters

Native voters are weighing issues like immigration and the treatment of Indigenous peoples, which often influence their political decisions. Their history of genocide and oppression makes them sensitive to global events and domestic policies, particularly concerning border control and refugee issues.

 

11. Independent Voters in Arizona

Arizona has a large number of independent voters, a key demographic that resists the traditional two-party system. Many independents like to conduct their own research and avoid aligning with either party. One voter at a Phoenix farmer's market shared that they dislike both major candidates but must make a decision soon.

 

12. Impact of Immigration on the Vote

Immigration is a hot-button issue in Arizona, especially given the state's proximity to Mexico. Trump’s proposals for mass deportations resonate with conservative voters, while Harris has promoted bipartisan solutions for border security. There's also a ballot initiative this year that could allow local police to arrest undocumented migrants, which has gained broad support in the state.

 

13. The Latino Vote

Arizona’s large Latino population, many with ties to Mexico, holds diverse views on immigration. Surprisingly, some Latino voters favor stricter border controls, reflecting concerns about job security and economic stability. Still, most Latino voters are expected to support Harris, but the Latino vote is not as solidly Democratic as it once was.

 

14. Looking Ahead to Election Day

As Election Day approaches, Arizona will be a critical state to watch, not only for the presidential race but also for ballot measures on reproductive rights and immigration. Voter turnout is expected to be high, and while we hope for a peaceful process, tensions are undoubtedly running high.

 

15. Closing

And that's ‘The Take’. What will you be doing on November 5th? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to ‘Al Jazeera English’ for more coverage of this crucial election season.