Patty Ferguson-Bohnee

Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, director of the College of Law's Indian Legal Clinic, was quoted Monday, Feb. 25, in article by Mounira Al Hmoud for the Legal Times Blog.

The article, “Experts debate effects of Voting Rights Act Provision on Native Americans,” explores how Section 5 of the Act halts election practices or procedures in certain states and local governments, until they have been cleared by the Justice Department or a federal court.

Ferguson-Bohnee said Section 5 has improved American Indians’ voting rights in Arizona. However, she said, voters are still facing challenges, such as distant poll locations, linguistic barriers, and restrictive ID requirements.

To read the article, click here.

Ferguson-Bohnee has substantial experience in Indian law, election law and policy matters, voting rights, and status clarification of tribes. She has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the Louisiana State Legislature regarding tribal recognition, and has successfully assisted four Louisiana tribes in obtaining state recognition.