Always Practice Safe Voting

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) sued Maryland demanding the release of its full, unredacted voter file, which includes the highly sensitive and personal data of every voter in the state. This suit appears to be part of DOJ’s effort to build a national voter database without congressional authorization, improperly question the validity of state voter rolls, and intimidate eligible voters in Maryland and around the country.

Great Falls, Mont. – On December 15, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana approved a settlement reached in Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation v. Chouteau County, Montana that will provide Tribal citizens the opportunity to elect a representative of their choice to the Chouteau County Board of County Commissioners. In August, the Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and two Native voters filed a lawsuit challenging Chouteau County’s unfair, at-large voting system for the Board of County Commissioners. The system unlawfully diluted the voting strength of Native voters and has denied them representation on the county commission for more than a decade, even though they make up approximately one-third of the county’s voting-age population. Under the terms of the settlement, the Tribal Nation’s reservation will be part of Chouteau County’s District 1, which will elect a representative to the Board of County Commissioners through a single-member district election. “We’re pleased that the county did the right thing in giving the Chippewa Cree Tribe a chance to elect a representative to the Board of Commissioners,” said Chippewa Cree Tribe Chairman Harlan Gopher Baker. “It has been more than a decade since we have had a Native voice in county politics. We look forward to being a part of this conversation.” “This case was about our community finally having a representative and a voice like other voters in the county,” said plaintiff and voter Tanya Schmockel, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. “I am excited about finally having the chance to have our voices heard and our concerns addressed.” Most of Chouteau County’s Native population lives on or near the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, and many critical local issues — such as infrastructure, road maintenance, and emergency services — require coordination between the county and Tribal governments. “In order for our county to include all of us, we needed a fair election system. With the new district, we have a chance for our voters to elect a commissioner who understands Native issues,” said plaintiff and voter Ken Morsette, a citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe. “This is a huge step forward for our Tribe.” Native American Rights Fund (NARF), American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Voting Rights Project (ACLU), and ACLU of Montana (ACLU-MT), represent the plaintiffs in this case. “For too long, Native voters in Chouteau County were shut out of meaningful representation,” said Theresa J. Lee, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Voting Rights Project. “County commissioners shape policies that affect daily life, including budget decision-making, supervising public service departments, and so much more. This agreement acknowledges what our clients have always known: every voter deserves an equal opportunity to shape the government that serves them." “This settlement and the district that it creates is a huge improvement for the entire county,” said NARF Staff Attorney Samantha Blencke. “Having a representative board allows the county commissioners to better address the concerns of all their constituents. We congratulate the county for doing the right thing and the Native voters and Chippewa Cree Tribe who insisted that they, rightfully, have a seat at the table.” “With this settlement, Native voters of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation finally have a fair opportunity to elect a representative to the Chouteau County’s Board of Commissioners,” said Akilah Deernose, Executive Director of the ACLU of Montana. “Indigenous voters in Montanan should not need to go to court to secure the same rights and privileges as non-Native voters. Until then, the ACLU of Montana will continue to fight for every Montanan’s constitutional and statutory rights.”

Representing the ACLU of Maine, the ACLU Voting Rights Project and the ACLU of Maine filed an amicus brief in a federal lawsuit over the federal government’s demand that Maine turn over its entire voter registration rolls, including with voters’ sensitive personal data such as drivers’ license numbers and partial social security numbers.

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) sued Nevada demanding the release of its full, unredacted voter file, which includes the highly sensitive and personal data of every voter in the state. This suit appears to be part of DOJ’s effort to build a national voter database without congressional authorization, improperly question the validity of state voter rolls, and intimidate eligible voters in Nevada and around the country.