Kavanaugh Blocks Ruling That Could End Private Voting Rights Lawsuits in North Dakota Case

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Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has granted a temporary stay to North Dakota tribes challenging the state’s legislative maps under the Voting Rights Act. The stay blocks a federal appeals court ruling that could eliminate private citizens’ ability to sue for voting rights violations.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and Spirit Lake Tribe claim North Dakota’s redistricting plan dilutes Native American voting power. The tribes warn this could gut the landmark civil rights law, overturning years of precedent, noting that private parties have brought over ninety-six percent of voting rights cases since 1982.