Cottier v. City of Martin

SMITH, Circuit Judge.

In September 2002, the American Civil Liberties Union brought an action on behalf of two Native Americans (“plaintiffs”) against the City of Martin, South Dakota, and various city officials in their official capacities (collectively “Martin”). Plaintiffs challenged Ordinance 122, which redistricted the Martin City Council (“city council”) ward boundaries, as intentionally and effectively diluting the voting strength of Native Americans and keeping Native American-preferred aldermen candidates from being elected in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of…