The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily paused a lower court decision that would have limited who can sue under the Voting Rights Act. The ruling comes as a short-term victory for Native American tribes in North Dakota, allowing their preferred district maps to remain in place for the time being.
The case involves a 2021 redistricting map in North Dakota that a federal judge originally ruled diluted Native American voting power. That decision was overturned by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which argued that only the federal government, not private individuals, can file lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
In response, tribal leaders urged the Supreme Court to intervene, warning that the appeals court’s decision would “knee-cap Congress’s most important civil rights statute.” They cited North Dakota’s long history of discrimination against Native voters, emphasizing the importance of keeping legal avenues open for individuals and tribes to challenge racial discrimination in elections.
“We are relieved that Native voters in North Dakota retain the ability to protect ourselves from discrimination at the polls. Our fight for the rights of our citizens continues,” said Jamie Azure, chair of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, in a statement.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will hear the full case, but a final ruling could come as early as next year. That decision could have far-reaching consequences, potentially reshaping how voting rights laws are enforced across the country
