Judge Rules North Dakota's Legislative Maps Violate Voting Rights Act

The redistricting diluted the voting power of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and Spirit Lake Tribe, leading to a requirement for a revised map by year's end.

U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte, appointed by President Donald Trump, ruled that North Dakota's legislative maps violated the Voting Rights Act and must be revised before the end of the year.
The ruling stated that the legislative redistricting diluted the voting power of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and Spirit Lake Tribe.
The complaint alleged that the Republican-led Legislature packed Native American voters from the two tribal groups into one legislative district and spread them out among nearby districts.
The Legislature and the secretary of state have until Dec. 22 to adopt a new legislative map, with the tribes able to file any objections by January 5.
The district's new map will take effect in the November 2024 election.