Supreme Court halts changes to North Dakota district map amid tribal voting rights case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily paused changes to North Dakota’s legislative district map while a tribal voting rights case continues, according to North Dakota Monitor. The decision came a day before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals was expected to finalize a reversal of a lower court ruling that ordered the state to adopt a new map.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Nation and three tribal members filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging the 2021 map diluted Indigenous voting power. U.S. District Court Judge Peter Welte sided with the plaintiffs in 2023, but the 8th Circuit reversed that ruling in May, finding private citizens cannot sue under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Plaintiffs are preparing to petition the Supreme Court and asked the court to let Welte’s map remain during the case. The justices agreed to a temporary stay and requested the state’s response by July 22.