2014: Who Called the Sheriff?

The Problem

Four Directions was helping over 100 Native voters per day cast ballots at the satellite voting office on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation until the non-Indian County Sheriff started showing up at the polling place at the request of the non-Indian County Auditor. Turnout plummeted.

The Four Directions solution

Four Directions combined quick legal action with strong public relations to keep the Sheriff out of the satellite voting office. Here’s how it worked:

1. Take official action

Our organizers photographed the sheriff at the satellite voting office and drafted affidavits on its effect. The Four Directions team then filed complaints with the Attorney General’s office, the Secretary of State’s office, and the U.S. Attorney’s office.

2. Elevate the issue in the press

With first-hand accounts from Four Directions organizers, our team went to local and national press to demand that election officials remove the Sheriff. The stunning story led to dozens of articles.

3. Seek federal election monitors

With the cooperation of state and local officials in question, Four Directions requested federal monitors be placed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to bring an additional level of protection for Native voters.

The Result

After personal conversations with the Secretary of State, Four Directions got the Sheriff removed from the polling place, the U.S. Attorney sent federal election monitors to Pine Ridge, and Shannon County turnout rebounded to the largest Native vote share in a South Dakota midterm election.