About 45,000 of Montana’s one million residents belong to American Indian tribes. In a state notorious for ticket-splitting and tiny-margin electoral victories, Democratic and Republican organizers routinely target the “Indian vote” for special attention. But that may be like trying to rope the wind.

With just 10 days left until Election Day, the tossup status of Montana’s senatorial and gubernatorial races has magnetized national attention. Political organizations see time running out to corral every possible unreached or undecided voter. The search presents unique obstacles in Montana’s Indian Country.