Bennett County in South Dakota has agreed to open a branch to investigate allegations of violations of Native American voting rights.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the settlement on Monday, saying it stemmed from allegations that the county failed to provide Native American voters equal opportunities to register and vote early.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bennett County will operate a branch office in Allen that will provide in-person registration and absentee ballot services during regular business hours throughout the state-mandated 46-day absentee ballot period prior to federal, state and county elections.
Justice inequalities on South Dakota reservations must be addressed, says US Attorney General
The Justice Department said the Federal Voting Rights Act requires equal registration and early voting opportunities.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the department’s Civil Rights Division commented on the agreement in a press release.
“It is time to remove all barriers that stand between Native American voters and the ballot box in our country,” Clarke said. “An inclusive democracy must provide all eligible voters access to all legally mandated voter registration and early voting opportunities.”
The US Attorney for the District of South Dakota, Alison Ramsdell, also commented in the press release.
“The right to vote is a fundamental part of our democracy, but without registration and the opportunity to vote early, that right is hollow,” Ramsdell said. “We are grateful that Bennett County has agreed to improve voting access for Native Americans in South Dakota by opening and staffing a branch in Allen.”
The Justice Department’s investigation found that Native Americans living on tribal lands in the county are disproportionately unable to travel long distances to the county seat of Martin to vote in person. Since 2015, the state has provided counties like Bennett with funds from the Help America Vote Act to set up a field office on tribal lands.
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Learn more
For more information about voting and elections, visit the Department of Justice website at www.justice.gov/voting.
For more information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal election laws, visit www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.
Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be filed through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by calling 1-800-253-3931. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota by email: (email protected) or call 605-330-4400.
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