Supreme Court Sends Voting Rights Case Back to the Eighth Circuit

WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Supreme Court voided the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit’s previous erroneous decision in Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians et al. v. Howe, a voting rights case in North Dakota that had stripped private individuals of the ability to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act after a trial court ruled that North Dakota’s legislative map was unlawful. The case has been sent back to the Eighth Circuit for further proceedings following Louisiana v. Callais, a recent Supreme Court decision regarding Section 2.

“The Supreme Court was correct to vacate the Eighth Circuit’s decision, which wrongly prevented Native voters and Tribal Nations from vindicating their rights under the Voting Rights Act. On remand, we will keep fighting to ensure that Native voters have the ability to vote and effect change in their communities,” said NARF Staff Attorney Lenny Powell.

“Today, the Supreme Court agreed that courts cannot slam the courthouse doors on plaintiffs seeking equal representation. We will keep fighting to defend the rights of Native American voters,” said Mark Gaber, senior director for redistricting at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center.

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The nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center advances democracy through law. We safeguard the freedom to vote, defend voters’ right to know who is spending money to influence elections, and work to ensure public trust in our elected officials.

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