BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) A lawsuit was filed in federal court by two North Dakota Indian tribes, challenging the legislative map drawn in last year’s redistricting plan. The Spirit Lake Tribe and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians say that the new boundaries dilute the voting rights of Native Americans which would be a violation of the Voting Rights Act…
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature has approved a new legislative map that reflects a continued loss of political clout in rural areas due to population shifts in the past decade. Though the map maintains 47 legislative districts, it creates three new districts in the state’s fastest-growing areas but erases an equal amount in population-lean rural regions. The new…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — The upcoming North Dakota special session planned to discuss redistricting and COVID-19 funding has taken a turn, as conservative issues may overshadow those measures. “The people I have talked to in the tax committees and the appropriation committees and among leadership say that is an issue that should be a full blown session and it is…
BISMARCK, N.D. – A panel of lawmakers putting the final touches on North Dakota’s new legislative map has delayed action n a proposal to create separate House districts on two of the state’s five American Indian reservations. Some members of the 14-member Republican-led committee said Tuesday they wanted more legal guidance before voting on the motion. The committee is scheduled…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A panel of lawmakers on Thursday substantially completed a draft of North Dakota’s new legislative map that creates three new districts in the state’s fastest-growing areas but erases an equal amount in population-lean rural regions. The preliminary plan unanimously approved by the Republican-controlled committee also forces several incumbent lawmakers to run against each other to keep…
BISMARCK, N.D. – Some North Dakota tribal leaders want lawmakers to split legislative House districts that include reservations. The leaders told a legislative redistricting committee Wednesday such a move will increase the odds for electing American Indians to the Legislature. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Mike Faith told the Republican-led committee that sub-districts would result in better representation and communication….
BISMARCK, N.D. – Republicans will lead a new committee that will redraw North Dakota’s legislative districts this year. A redistricting committee of 14 Republicans and two Democrats was picked Wednesday during a meeting of Legislative Management, by a panel of lawmakers that handles the Legislature’s business between sessions. The lawmakers will draw an outline for legislative redistricting, which is done…
FARGO (KVRR) – A bill that would exempt drafts of legislative redistricting maps from North Dakota’s open records laws will be discussed by state lawmakers this week. The Senate Political Subdivisions Committee will hold a hearing Friday at 8:30 a.m. “Unfortunately, the bill allows legislators to hide their draft maps from the public by exempting them from open records laws”…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – An advocacy group wants North Dakota lawmakers to make the legislature’s redistricting process “open and accessible” to everyone. “North Dakota Voters First” is opposing a bill that would exempt draft versions of redistricting maps from state open records laws. Spokesperson Ellen Chaffee says the bill keeps early versions of legislative maps secret. She says that’s unacceptable…
