Appeals court rules against North Dakota tribes in voting rights case that could go to Supreme Court
July 7, 2025
A federal appeals court has upheld its decision against two Native American tribes challenging North Dakota’s redistricting map. The tribes argued the map diluted their power, violating the federal Voting Rights Act. In May, a three-judge panel ruled that only the U.S. Department of Justice, not private individuals or groups, can sue under the Act. The decision conflicts with decades of rulings in other circuits, creating a legal split that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court. On Thursday, the appeals court denied a rehearing request from the tribes and advocacy groups. The tribes are now exploring further legal options.