Native voters, leaders ask redistricting panel to preserve minority districts | 406 Politics
PABLO — Republican proposals for new legislative districts in Montana would reduce the number of districts with Native American majorities, an approach that has been criticized by tribal members, indigenous activists and Democrats since they were unveiled last month.During one of two public hearings taking place on Indian reservations in the state, Monday’s meeting at the Salish Kootenai College in Pablo saw tribal members, local leaders and indigenous lawmakers asking the Districting and Apportionment Commission to preserve the current districts in which Native Americans make up a majority of voters. Democrats argued that keeping those districts intact is critical to complying with the federal Voting Rights Act.“That helps to provide that knowledge, that long-standing ...