Letter: Use of GPS could increase voter registration

To the editor:

I was a candidate for District 4 Supervisor in the primary election. I lost at the polls, but I still feel strongly that this is an important topic. I read with interest Kent Walker's letter to the editor in your July 30th edition. I agree with a lot of what Mr. Walker had to say.

The low number of registered voters and a low percentage of turnout at the polls by those registered in predominately Native American precincts seem to reflect the feeling that Coconino County's government serves no purpose on the Navajo Nation or in the Hopi Villages. It no doubt is also a reflection of the difficulty in registering to vote and participating in the process when you don't have a recognized street address - an issue that has received much press recently.

For county government, as a whole, to feel a need to be responsive to Native American residents there has to be the potential of those residents voting them out of office. I believe the answer to the voter registration issue is as simple as using GPS (Global Position Satellite System) in place of both the required "address where you live" and the map drawn in a 2" x 2" square on voter registration forms. A registration process could send someone with GPS equipment out to Native American/rural residences.

The registration form could be filled out and the latitude and longitude at the door of a hogan, pueblo, or house be written in the required address box as a valid address. No map drawing should be required. This information would be entered in the Election Office's data base and appear on the voter ID card. The GPS address would be used for any registered voter process requiring a physical address.

We are in a world that is ever changing with the advancements of technology; the registered voter process needs to keep up. Several Native American related Web sites do give their location by the use of GPS coordinates so the technology is already being used by tribes and advancing voter registration and participation with GPS seems a logical next step.

If tribal governments believe using GPS is a viable solution, I want to work with them to have it implemented statewide. We are all citizens, we need to help each other and look for solutions in all we do. The use of GPS in place of a residence address will no doubt require moving through some bureaucratic hoops, but I believe it can be accomplished. My wife and I would be honored if asked to assist in pursuing this as an option in voter registration.

William Scharf

Flagstaff

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