VOTING RIGHTS ACT

North Dakota seeks to use former legislative map while voting rights case proceeds

WASHINGTON (North Dakota Monitor) – The state of North Dakota urged the U.S. Supreme Court to let it use its preferred legislative district map after an appellate court found a federal judge was wrong to change the district lines last year. Attorneys for the state argued that courts have allowed private plaintiffs to challenge and destabilize state district maps for…

Ruling in North Dakota Case Erases Path for People in 7 States to Sue Under Voting Rights Act

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal appeals court that already has said private individuals and groups cannot sue under a key part of the federal Voting Rights Act went even further Wednesday toward blocking lawsuits over alleged racial bias in voting in seven Midwest states. But its decisions may not be the last word, because another appeals court has ruled…

Judge rejects delay of ruling backing North Dakota tribes’ effort to change legislative boundaries

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a request to delay his decision supporting two Native American tribes that sought changes to North Dakota’s legislative boundaries to give the tribes more influence in the Legislature. U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte denied Republican Secretary of State Michael Howe’s motion to stay his ruling, pending an expected appeal to the…

Judge: North Dakota redistricting violates Voting Rights Act

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that North Dakota’s Legislature violated the Voting Rights Act in how lawmakers reapportioned legislative districts comprising two tribal nations. U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte issued his ruling on Friday, months after a trial held in June in Fargo. He ruled that the 2021 redistricting plan for two districts, one with…

Two tribes challenging North Dakota redistricting plan

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…