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Radical Decision by Appeals Court in Arkansas Case Greenlights North Dakota Appeal to Restore Maps Designed to Suppress Native American Voting Power

November 27, 2023November 28, 2023

A radical decision last week in an Arkansas racial gerrymandering case stopped voters and democracy groups from suing under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The State of North Dakota took advantage of the decision to appeal to have their racially discriminating gerrymandered maps restored, struck down after a lower court found they suppressed Native American voting power.

Federal Judge Throws Out Arizona’s Additional Proof-of-Citizenship Requirements for Federal Election-Only Voter Registration Form

September 21, 2023December 29, 2023

Arizona has a type of voter registration form which allows citizens to register only for Presidential elections, often used by Native Americans. Gov. Doug Ducey signed House Bill 2492 last year, adding more proof of citizenship requirements when using this federal form. Last week, a federal judge threw out many of those new requirements.

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Report Recommends Changes to Reduce Barriers to Voting for South Dakota’s Native Americans

July 13, 2023July 16, 2023

We’re in South Dakota today where a new report issued by the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights found that Native Americans still face barriers to voting, like distance to a polling place, gerrymandered districts, and confusing voter ID rules.

Critical Democracy Court Cases in 2022

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022

This week, we’re recapping 2022 democracy legislation around the U.S. But also critical this year was action in the state and federal courts.

ADM for August 18, 2022: Native American Tribe Unrigs Voting in its County with Court Redistricting Decision

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022

Here’s an important story we missed from last week. A Native American tribe in South Dakota won a victory in federal court, forcing implementation of a fairer voting district system and representation for its members, after enduring years of a rigged system.