Chippewa Cree Tribe Sues Chouteau County Over Election Rights
UPDATE: The Chippewa Cree Tribe has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Chouteau County, Montana, alleging that the county’s election system systematically dilutes the voting power of Native American citizens. This urgent legal action, initiated by the tribe along with two local Native voters, signals a critical moment in the fight for fair representation.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Great Falls on Thursday, challenges the county’s at-large election system, which allows all county voters to elect commissioners, undermining the political influence of the approximately 16% Native American population residing in the area. The Chippewa Cree Tribe, which overlaps with the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, argues that this structure violates the federal Voting Rights Act by preventing Native American voters from electing candidates of their choice.
“This system allows the white majority in Chouteau County to control the outcome of every commissioner election,” the complaint states, emphasizing the geographic concentration of Native voters around the Rocky Boy’s Reservation. Plaintiffs assert that the current election system effectively silences their voices in decisions that affect their lives.
The lawsuit seeks a court-ordered redistricting plan that would create at least one majority-Native voting district, aiming to restore meaningful representation for Native Americans in the county. Tanya Schmockel, a plaintiff and registered voter, expressed the urgency of the situation: “Without representation, Native Americans remain invisible in decisions that affect every part of our lives.”
Chouteau County Commissioner Chair Clay Riehl has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, which is part of a larger trend in Montana. This is not the first challenge against at-large voting systems in the state; similar lawsuits have previously led to changes in election laws, including a notable case in 1986 involving Big Horn County that resulted in the election of the first Native American commissioner.
This lawsuit arrives amidst ongoing debates over election laws affecting Native American communities. In June 2023, several tribes in Montana raised concerns that new regulations could disenfranchise Native voters, particularly in rural areas. The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated, as they could reshape the political landscape for Native voters in Montana.
With the Chippewa Cree Tribe taking a stand, the outcome of this lawsuit may not only impact local elections but could also set a precedent for Native voting rights across the nation. As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on Chouteau County and the implications for Native American representation.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it continues to evolve.
