North Dakota Legislative Redistricting Challenge (Turtle Mountain Band)

Lawsuit filed on behalf of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Spirit Lake Tribe and individual Native American voters challenging North Dakota’s new legislative districts drawn with 2020 census data. The complaint alleges that the new districts dilute the voting strength of Native Americans in the state in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The lawsuit specifically focuses on how Native American voters in northeastern North Dakota can now only elect the candidate of their choice in one district, compared to two under the previous map. The complaint alleges that the Legislature packed Native American voters from the two plaintiff groups into one legislative district and spread them out among nearby districts. The lawsuit asks the court to block the use of the districts and order the Legislature to adopt a new plan that “does not dilute, cancel out, or minimize the voting strength of Native American voters.” The plaintiffs did not seek relief for the 2022 election cycle. On April 10, 2023, the court denied the North Dakota secretary of state’s motion for summary judgment, meaning the plaintiffs’ Section 2 claims will be considered at trial on June 12, 2023. Litigation is ongoing.

Last updated: May 8, 2023 10:49 am EST