- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
The ruling comes after the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, the Spirit Lake Tribe, and three Native voters challenged the map’s legality under the protection of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Despite 2020 Census numbers showing that Native voters in North Dakota grew to nearly six percent of the state’s voting age population, the state legislature in 2021 adopted a legislative district map that reduced the number of candidates Native voters could elect in northeast North Dakota. On November 17, a federal judge in North Dakota ruled that the map diluted Native voting strength by “unlawfully packing [certain districts] with a supermajority Jof Native Americans and cracking the remaining Native American voters in the region into other districts.”
“This decision shows the impact Tribal Nations can make when they unite to stop the cycle of exclusion and underrepresentation that has for generations prevented too many Native people from having a say in state-level decision-making,” said Turtle Mountain Chippewa Chair Jamie Azure in a statement.
The court ordered the North Dakota Legislative Assembly to create a Voting Rights Act compliant map by December 22, with overview by The Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Spirit Lake Tribes.
Help us ensure that the celebration of Native Heritage never stops by donating here.
More Stories Like This
'This has Been a Train Wreck for a Long Time' | Fentanyl Trafficking, Underfunded Tribal Enforcement Subject of Senate Committee HearingNational Park Service to Do Theme Study on Indian Reorganization Period
President Biden's Remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Summit
Judge Shanlyn Park Confirmed to U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai'i in Historic Appointment
2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit Underway in Washington, DC
Together, we can educate, enlighten, and empower.
November is celebrated as “Native American Heritage Month.” At Native News Online, we amplify Native voices and share our relatives’ unique perspectives every day of the year. We believe every month should celebrate Native American heritage.If you appreciate our commitment to Native voices and our mission to tell stories that connect us to our roots and inspire understanding and respect, we hope you will consider making a donation this month to support our work. For those who commit to a recurring donation of $12 per month or more, or make a one-time donation of $150 or greater, we're excited to offer you a copy of our upcoming Indian Boarding School publication and access to our quarterly Founder’s Circle meetings and newsletter.
