The Legislative Redistricting Tribal Areas Subcommittee will hold its first meeting of the 2021 interim this afternoon (Sept. 28, 2021) at 3pm CT.
District 24 Senator Mary Duvall of Pierre is a member of the subcommittee and also the chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. She says when drawing new legislative districts, they have to comply with the requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Bone Shirt v. Hazeltine is the federal case in which a panel of judges found South Dakota discriminated against Indigenous residents by not thoroughly involving them in the 2001 redistricting process.
Duvall says COVID is hindering their efforts to meet with the state’s tribal members in person.
Those wishing to testify, participate or provide written testimony for today’s Legislative Redistricting Tribal Areas Subcommittee should email sdredistricting@sdlegislature.gov for information on how to join the meeting.
Incidentally, the Joint House and Senate Legislative Redistricting Committee will hold its fourth meeting of the 2021 interim Thursday (Sept. 30) at 10am CT. The meeting is being conducted via electronic conference and in Room 414 of the State Capitol in Pierre, to allow for both remote and in-person participation.
The Legislative Redistricting Tribal Areas Subcommittee is co-chaired by Representative Spencer Gosch (R-Glenham) and Senator Troy Heinert (D-Mission). Members include Representatives Ryan Cwach (D-Yankton) and Liz May (R-Kyle) and Senators Jim Bolin (R-Canton) and Mary Duvall (R-Pierre).
The Legislative Redistricting Tribal Areas Subcommittee is one of three subcommittees formed by the House and Senate Legislative Redistricting Committees. Redistricting Rapid City and Redistricting Sioux Falls are the other two subcommittees.
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