RIDE FOR THE PEOPLE
Ride for the People (formerly Ride to the Polls) is a culturally rooted voter engagement program designed to increase youth participation and overall voter registration and turnout in Arizona’s Indigenous communities. The program aims to amplify the voices of historically disenfranchised, rural reservation communities by combining civic engagement with cultural expression. Our model integrates a dynamic art campaign with on-the-ground activations, ensuring that visual storytelling and creative expression inspire action. Led and supported by Native youth, our program includes voter registration drives, early voting mobilization events that celebrate the subcultures of Indigenous communities, and Election Day trail rides that reconnect communities with traditional modes of transportation. Through these efforts, we not only increase voter participation but also empower the next generation of Indigenous leaders to take an active role in shaping their future.
THE PROBLEM
In recent years, more than 100 anti-voting bills have been introduced in Arizona particularly aimed at disenfranchising communities of color - particularly young voters and Native Americans living on reservations. As a result, young Indigenous voters feel disempowered and question their participation after turning out to vote in historic numbers in the 2022 midterms.
THE SOLUTION
Inspire and empower Indigenous youth (16 -35 years old) to understand, reclaim and honor their collective power through narrative strategies, culturally-relevant content, and joyful on-the-ground community activations, to ensure they continue registering voters, turning out the vote and building on the momentum they began in 2022.
APPROACH
Original Content
Creation
Ally Building
Art Campaign
Culturally Relevant Activations
2026 ACTIVATIONS
Welcome back to our usual riders, and if you’re new here, welcome too!
We have rested, re-strategized, and are ready to carry democracy forward. Join us at one or all of our events as we Ride Forward, Together.
Youth-Led Activation
September
Native Youth Summit alumni, Chazlyn Curley will lead a voter registration and education event in Arizona. The activation is fully youth-driven, with support from Protect the Sacred staff on planning, logistics, and funding. Activations will reflect the vision and leadership of Native youth committed to civic engagement in their communities.
Stride Forward 5K Run & Walk for Native Voters
Saturday, September 26
5 PM On-site Registration | 5:30 PM Run Starts
Kayenta (AZ) Chapter House
Get registered, learn how to vote early, and join us for a youth-led activation to walk, run, connect, and mobilize our communities. All walkers and runners are welcome! Come out, make your voice heard, and build momentum for Native voters this election season.
Register for the run or walk: https://bit.ly/StrideForward5k
Hoops for the Future
October 7 -9
High School Tour
Bringing together two powerful parts of Native youth culture, basketball (specifically Rez ball) and civic engagement, to create an engaging space for students to learn about community organizing, Indigenous democracy, and the importance of Native voices.
Solidarity Ride
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Monday, October 12
A powerful horseback trail ride to an early voting site in Window Rock, AZ (the capital of the Navajo Nation) aimed at mobilizing the Native vote ahead of the midterm elections. The day includes a sunrise ride, early ballot casting, voter education panel discussions, and a country concert—blending tradition, civic action, celebration and cross-cultural solidarity to protect the sacred right to vote.
"We're celebrating the work that we’ve done. It's a commemoration of the long struggle, the resilience, and resistance, and beauty of this culture and value of this culture in the United States."
Mark Ruffalo
Actor, Director, Producer, Advocate
LOOKING BACK
2020
Ride to the Polls Launch (early vote mobilization)
2022 (Midterms)
- Skate to the Polls (voter registration event)
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Solidarity Trail Ride (early voting mobilization & PSA)
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Election Day Ride to the Polls Trail Ride
2024
Ride for Democracy GOTV + Art Campaign
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Skate for Democracy + Rez Metal Concert (voter registration event)
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Saddle Up for Change Trail Ride Voter Registration Tour (6 community stops)
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Ride for Democracy Bull Riding + Country Concert (voter registration event)
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Walk to the Polls: Honoring 100 Years of Citizenship & Beyond + Youth Pizza Party with Mark Ruffalo (early voting mobilization event)
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Election Day Ride to the Polls Trail Ride (voter mobilization event)
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Youth Fellow Voter Registration + Education Activations
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Reclaiming Shima Nahasdzáán (Chazlyn Curley)
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When Natives Vote (Ian Teller)
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Fireside Chat
Just Vote Beer Launch & GOTV Conversation - a community collaboration beer with Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. Each can label displayed a QR code, which directed consumers to Ridetothepolls.com to check voter registration status and register to vote.
White House Invitations
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February: Convening on Voting Rights with Vice President Kamala Harris
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July: Convening on Native American Voting Rights
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October: Official Event with President Joe Biden and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Formal Apology for Indian Boarding School Era)
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December: Vice President Kamala Harris & Mr. Doug Emhoff Holiday Reception
2024 IMPACT
28.7k+
Social Media Followers
(60% Growth)
500+
Native Youth Network
4k+
Voters Registered
(In-Person & Online)
52
Impactful Press Hits;
Over 1 Billion Impressions (1,035,208,810)
2024 PARTNERS
Community Leaders & Special Guests who joined our movement on the ground:
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Cara Jade Myers
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Mark Ruffalo
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Wilmer Valderrama
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Frank Young II
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Douglas Miles Sr.
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Douglas Miles Jr.
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Jonathan Nez
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Tonia Jo Hall
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Doggface
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Levi Platero
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Ahtza Chavez
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Najiah Knight
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Teddy & Justin Granger
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Dirt Rhodes
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Bill Crawley & The Good Ol’ Boys
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Scotti Clifford
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Dzaki Sukarno
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Under Exile
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Sage Bond
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Liłith
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Jade Begay
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Ginger Sykes Torres
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Sheila Begay, MTA Horse Tours
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Julia Walsh
Allies who helped to amplify our efforts through their networks and online:
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President Barack Obama
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Mark Ruffalo
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Wilmer Valderrama
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Cara Jade Myers
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Kacey Musgraves
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Piper Perabo
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Leonardo DiCaprio
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Marisa Tomei
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Jewel
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Ashley Judd
