The Chippewa Cree Tribe and two Native American voters on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Chouteau County and its board of commissioners, alleging the county’s election system dilutes the power of Native voters.

Chouteau County commissioners serve staggered terms and are elected on an “at-large” basis, meaning all voters in the county elect commissioners, regardless of the districts they represent. Located in northcentral Montana, Chouteau County overlaps with the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and its population is about 16% Native American, according to census data.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege the at-large system violates the federal Voting Rights Act by “[depriving] Native American voters of a full and equal opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.” The at-large system, pla

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