Voting rights violated in South Dakota

[NVMojo]

nothing surprises me anymore ...

PIERRE, S.D. - A county in South Dakota has been found in violation of the Voting Rights Act because of redistricting that keeps American Indian voters in the minority in three districts, in a violation of the ''one-person/one-vote'' rule.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol wants to see a redistricting plan that will pass legal muster by Nov. 14 from the Charles Mix County Commission, the defendant in Blackmoon v. Charles Mix County. If the county decides not to write its own plan, the court will.

Even though Charles Mix County is the home to the Yankton Sioux Tribe, there has never been an American Indian county commissioner or a city council member in the county seat of Lake Andes, according to the Yankton tribal members who are plaintiffs in the suit.

Piersol noted that the total population deviation of 19.02 percent between the largest and smallest district was in violation of established U.S. Supreme Court findings, and that the county commissioners justified that deviation because of a county policy to not split townships, towns or cities in creating voting districts. If a deviation exceeds 10 percent in apportionment between the largest and smallest districts it creates the impression of discrimination, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled.

more...

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411821

[Loonman]

1. Damn

This is getting personal.

[NVMojo]

2. chalk it up to some very hidden agendas ...

[Tomee450]

3. Unfortunately,

Indians are not treated very well in some parts of the country. Columnist Clarence Page was surprised as the bigotry he saw being expressed against Indians when he visited a white friend in one of the western states.

[Zhade]

4. K/R for my Native brothers and sisters!

NT!