A federal lawsuit was filed by three Native American residents against Blaine County, its commissioners, clerk, and elections manager, claiming the county commission election map dilutes Native voter influence and violates constitutional standards. Blaine County, situated in north-central Montana and overlapping with Fort Belknap Reservation, is home to over 7,000 people, with a majority being Native Americans according to U.S. Census Data. County commission decisions can greatly impact infrastructure, public safety, and services in tribal areas.
The plaintiffs, members of the Fort Belknap Aaniiih and Nakoda Tribes, argue that the current districting undermines their equal protection rights. Represented by the UCLA Voting Rights Project and Upper Seven Law, they seek a federal court ruling to deem the map unconstitutional and mandate district realignment. The Blaine County Board of Commissioners and other officials have not commented on the lawsuit.
Blaine County’s three commission districts are contested under the “one-person, one-vote” principle, which mandates equal voter power. District 1 is majority-Native American, District 2 is majority-White, and District 3 has a mixed demographic. The complaint indicates a population imbalance, with District 1 holding 2,777 residents, exceeding the equal distribution goal of 2,390 people per district, thereby diminishing Native voters’ influence.
Sonni Waknin, from the Voting Rights Project, criticized the current map for contradicting representative government principles, stating, “The weight of a person’s vote should not depend on which side of a district line they live on.” This case adds to a history of legal challenges in Montana concerning election fairness. Past lawsuits, including those against Big Horn and Chouteau counties, led to the establishment of more equitable voting districts, empowering Native American voters.
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