Current:Home > MyJudges toss lawsuit targeting North Dakota House subdistricts for tribal nations -MarketStream
Judges toss lawsuit targeting North Dakota House subdistricts for tribal nations
View
Date:2025-04-27 15:14:25
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal three-judge panel in North Dakota has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Republican district officials who alleged that the consideration of race was unconstitutional in the creation of state House subdistricts that included ones encompassing tribal nations.
The lawsuit filed early last year by the two GOP legislative district officials targeted the two subdivided districts the Legislature drew in 2021, which included subdistricts for the Fort Berthold and Turtle Mountain Indian reservations. The lawsuit alleged that the “racial gerrymandering” was a violation of the equal protection clause.
The ruling issued Thursday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Peter Welte, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Ralph Erickson and U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland granted motions for summary judgment made by the state and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, and denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case.
The judges said the state “had good reasons and strong evidence to believe the subdistricts were required by” the federal Voting Rights Act.
The plaintiffs will discuss their next steps, including a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, attorney Bob Harms told The Associated Press.
In 2021, North Dakota’s Republican-controlled Legislature reapportioned the state’s 47 legislative districts based on 2020 census numbers. Lawmakers cited population requirements of the Voting Rights Act when they went about drawing the subdistricts for the two tribal nations.
Another redistricting lawsuit, brought by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe, awaits a ruling by Welte after a June trial. The tribes allege the redistricting map illegally dilutes Native American voters on two reservations, violating the Voting Rights Act. The plaintiffs are seeking a joint district.
veryGood! (868)
Related
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- From snow squalls to tornado warnings, the U.S. is being pummeled with severe storms this week. What do these weather terms mean?
- Powerful storms bring heavy snow, rain, tornadoes, flooding to much of U.S., leave several dead
- AI-generated ads using Taylor Swift's likeness dupe fans with fake Le Creuset giveaway
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Biggest snubs in the 2024 SAG Awards nominations, including Leonardo DiCaprio, 'Saltburn'
- Federal judge says Alabama can conduct nation’s 1st execution with nitrogen gas; appeal planned
- AEW star Adam Copeland revels in the 'joy' of war god Ares in Disney+'s 'Percy Jackson'
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- First time filing your taxes? Here are 5 tips for tax season newbies
Ranking
- Small twin
- Like Pete Rose, Barry Bonds and Lance Armstrong, Aaron Rodgers trashes his legacy
- Taylor Swift Superfan Mariska Hargitay Has the Purrfect Reaction to Buzz Over Her New Cat Karma
- Screen Actors Guild Awards 2024: 'Barbie,' 'Oppenheimer' score 4 nominations each
- Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
- Here’s What Fans Can Expect From Ted Prequel Series
- 18-year-old accused of shooting man 15 times, hiding body in air mattress: Court docs
- National power outage map: Over 400,000 outages across East Coast amid massive winter storm
Recommendation
Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
Former Delaware officer asks court to reverse convictions for lying to investigators after shooting
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp tells business group he wants to spend $1.8 billion more on infrastructure
At CES 2024, tech companies are transforming the kitchen with AI and robots that do the cooking
Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
Lawmaker resumes push to end odd-year elections for governor and other statewide offices in Kentucky
The Puffer Trend Beyond the Jackets— Pants, Bucket Hats, and Belt Bags From Lululemon and More
Bachelor Host Jesse Palmer and Wife Emely Fardo Welcome First Baby