Emails obtained through a recent investigation have unveiled a controversial strategy by the Biden administration that proposed engaging schoolchildren in voter registration schemes.

Plans involved distributing voter registration materials designed for the students to take home to their parents and raising critical discussions about the politicization of educational resources.

According to Daily Caller, his initiative, orchestrated by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 2022, focused on involving Native American students from Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.

The strategy of using BIE school children to distribute voter registration materials was seen as a tactic to potentially increase Democratic support among Native Americans. A 2022 poll by the African American Research Collaborative found that 56% of Native Americans showed a preference for Democratic candidates.

Chronology Of The Voter Registration Strategy

Initial plans for this initiative were discussed in early 2022. A significant correspondence that pushed this agenda forward was an email from Jennifer Wiginton, a BIE team lead, which proposed sending voter registration cards home with students. This was seen as a direct method to reach Native American voters through their children.

Following Wiginton’s proposal, Joshua Berg, a DOI attorney-advisor, outlined more details in March. He described how voter registration applications would be made available at BIE schools so that children could bring them home to their parents or guardians, including the provision of pre-paid postage envelopes for easier return of completed registrations.

On March 2, 2022, Berg sought to discuss funding for this initiative with DOI Deputy Assistant Secretary Eric Werwa, indicating the serious consideration being given to this plan. Subsequently, a meeting to address taxpayer funding was organized for March 22, with emails linking to other prominent figures in the DOI.

Government Intentions and Public Trust

The DOI explained that it had no record of finally implementing the plan to distribute voter registration forms through BIE schools despite detailed preparations.

Still, many raised concerns about the overlap between the target areas for these initiatives and states critical for Democratic electoral victories, as outlined by DOI documents listing states like New Mexico, Arizona, and South Dakota.

Comments from Michael Chamberlain, director of Protect the Public’s Trust, underscored the controversy. Chamberlain criticized the diversion of resources from educational achievement to political gains, highlighting the sensitive nature of involving educational establishments in political campaigns.

Representative Bryan Steil articulated a broader apprehension, accusing the administration of leveraging federal agencies to support President Biden's reelection, suggesting a partisan misuse of public resources.

The Political Impact Of Native American Voters

Alexander Castillo-Nunez, a notable political analyst, pointed out the significant electoral influence of American Indian voters, especially in recent tight races.

The targeting of these voters through educational channels added a layer of complexity to the ethical considerations of such voter engagement strategies.

Officially, while DOI spokespeople denied the full execution of these voter registration tactics through BIE schools, the documented plans suggest a calculated strategy to amplify voter turnout in a demographic critically perceived to lean Democratic.

This revelation has prompted a broader discourse on the appropriateness of government agencies engaging in activities that might sway electoral prospects, especially through populations vulnerable to educational neglect.

Conclusions

The plans by the Biden administration to engage BIE school students in voter registration initiatives reflect a contentious intersection of education and politics.

Documents and emails from 2022 reveal a concerted effort to use school resources to possibly enhance Democratic support among Native Americans. The strategic focus on the state's key to electoral wins further heightens the political ramifications of this move.

Although no implementation has been confirmed, the extensive preparations and discussions highlight the potential use of educational tools for electoral benefits—a strategy that has been both defended and criticized for its implications on democratic integrity and educational focus.