Supreme Court blocks North Dakota redistricting ruling that would gut key part of Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court has blocked a lower-court ruling in a North Dakota redistricting case that threatens to undermine civil rights protections under the Voting Rights Act. The justices may take up a federal appeals court ruling that restricts the ability of private individuals and civil rights groups to sue under Section 2 of the Act. The case involves arguments from Native American tribes claiming that the state's legislative map weakened their voting power. A contrary ruling from the 8th Circuit adds complexity, asserting only the Justice Department has standing to sue under that provision.

The Supreme Court blocked a lower-court ruling in North Dakota that would gut a landmark federal civil rights law for millions of people, indicating a likelihood to take up the federal appeals court ruling that threatens private enforcement under the Voting Rights Act.

In the North Dakota case, the Spirit Lake Tribe and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians argued the state's 2021 legislative map violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting their voting strength and ability to elect candidates.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that only the Justice Department can bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which conflicts with decades of legal precedent.

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