The Make-or-Break Supreme Court Case You Don't Know About

In the Dakotas, the lines on a map tell a story. One that impacts us all.

For decades, Native voters there have fought to make sure their voices weren’t just counted — but heard. In 2024, that effort paid off when three Native American legislators were elected in North Dakota after a federal court found the state’s district maps violated the Voting Rights Act. That win wasn’t just about political power — it was about dignity, fairness, and self-determination.

Now, that victory is in jeopardy. And not just in North Dakota.

Last year, a federal appeals court made a stunning decision: Private citizens can no longer sue to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in seven states. That means that unless the federal government brings the case, voters in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota may have no legal recourse when their representation is diluted or erased. The ruling flies in the face of decades of precedent — and makes it nearly impossible for individuals and communities to challenge racial discrimination in voting maps.

https://www.brightamerica.org/p/the-make-or-break-supreme-court-case