Court Orders North Dakota to Restore Native Voting Power Without Delay | Sovereignty
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Details By Native News Online Staff January 09, 2024
Native Vote 2024.A North Dakota court has affirmed the voting rights of the state's Native Americans yesterday.
After North Dakota elected officials failed to redraw state electoral maps to ensure Native Americans are not denied a fair opportunity to elect state legislators, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota ordered fair maps into place that will end the unlawful dilution of votes cast by Native Americans. In the same order, the court also denied the North Dakota Legislature's latest attempts to delay implementation of new state legislative maps.
The order was issued as part of a case challenging the North Dakota Legislature's 2021 redistricting plan filed by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, the Spirit Lake Tribe and Tribal members from both Tribes. The new court-ordered map is the same redistricting plan proposed by the Tribes to the Legislature during the 2021 redistricting process, which the Legislature refused to adopt.
"The court properly recognized the voting strength of our tribal members must not be diluted," Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Chair Jamie Azure said in a statement." When I testified in favor of a fair redistricting plan to the members of the Legislature during the 2021 redistricting process, my words were ignored. It is unfortunate that litigation was required in order for a lawful plan to be put in place."
In November, the court found that the 2021 North Dakota Legislative District map dilutes votes cast by Native Americans in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Instead of using the opportunity provided by the court to draw a fair map, state officials filed legal motions seeking to delay the court order and to leave the discriminatory maps in place for 2024. As a result, despite receiving more time than courts typically provide to fix unlawful maps, the state missed the deadline to propose a remedial plan of its own.
"For so many years, generation after generation, Native people have had to defend their right to vote in North Dakota," Spirit Lake Tribal Chair Lonna J. Street said in a statement. "This court order marks a milestone closer to the day when Native people participate in redistricting and in elections as equals to our non-Native neighbors."
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF), Campaign Legal Center (CLC), and The Law Office of Bryan L. Sells represent the plaintiffs in their suit. Tim Purdon of Robins Kaplan LLP represents the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe.
"The tribal plaintiffs' hard-fought victory means Native American voters in North Dakota will be able vote in fairly and lawfully drawn legislative districts in this year's elections," NARF Staff Attorney Michael Carter said in a statement.
OFF-TOPIC COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT WARNING.
As the Republicans say they want our vote they do everything to stop us from excerising our right to vote or to dilute it.
Are they speaking with fork tongue?
Great news. I heard something semi-related on NPR this morning.
I just saw that as well, evilone I sure like the sound of it.
I understand progress is slow, but if it were slower on some of these things we'd be working backwards.
Did you also hear the Upper Sioux Agency State Park (Southwest MN) will be returned to the NA community? It's last day for visitors will be Feb 15th. Then the state will give money for park item removal like bridges, buildings and paths.
I had not heard that, more great news. Thanks for the information.
Do any republicans speak with a straight tongue?
Another one is gonna bite the dust -
But, hey, that's what "Plains States" do - "Frick you if you're Indian - you ain't got no rights - 'cause the whites say you don't."
And, it's not just the Repubs - the Dems won't allow anyone listed as an "Other" to vote nor being listed on the ballots.
name those ND democrats involved in denying the NA votes in this article...
I believe that is how the SD state is set up, they are currently attempting to change the state constitution to have open primaries. There are many states with this rule during the primaries.
Try googling - you'll learn a lot of things.
Other - This category is for voters who write any other political party on their voter registration form that is not currently a recognized political party in South Dakota. These numbers were reported under NPA/IND through March 31, 2016.
Note: The South Dakota Democratic Party has opened their primary election up for all voters registered as independent/no party affiliation to vote in their primary. Voters registered in the “other” category are not allowed to vote in the SD Democratic Party primary.
You might want to ask Kavika since my comment deals with SD and their voting restrictions - not ND.
SD has nothing to do with this article and is a weak deflection.
Attempting to add to the conversation with information of what other states are doing.
Then why did you respond?
Great result. The court did the right thing.
Yes, they did, G. The problem is that the we have to go to court on a constant basis to defend our rights, they don't stop they just keep changing the laws.
It's beyond terrible.
Why must the gop torment Native Americans?
It is not just North Dakota. Oklahoma is worse...
Stitt wakes up scheming how to screw Natives!