Chippewa Cree Tribe Files Suit over Chouteau County’s Electoral System

Chippewa Cree Tribe files suit over Chouteau County’s electoral system

The Chippewa Cree Tribe and two tribal citizens have filed a federal lawsuit against Chouteau County, arguing the countys at-large system for electing commissioners unlawfully dilutes Native votes and has left them without representation. The lawsuit is backed by the Native American Rights Fund, the American Civil Liberties Unions Voting Rights Project, and the ACLU of Montana.ANEESSA COOMER REPORTS - WATCH: Chippewa Cree Tribe files suit over C…

Tribe files suit alleging voting rights violations

The Chippewa Cree Tribe and two of its members filed a lawsuit against Chouteau County last week alleging that the way the county conducts its commission elections violates Native Americans' voting rights by diluting their votes among white electors.

Chippewa Cree sue county over voting rights violations

"This system allows the white majority in Chouteau County to control the outcome of every commissioner election and prevents Native American voters ... from electing candidates of their choice."