Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., wants Benson County officials to change their minds and provide a place to vote on the Spirit Lake Reservation.
In a letter sent Tuesday to the county's Board of Commissioners, Dorgan wrote he was "very concerned" that the move could disenfranchise voters who live on the reservation.
He pointed out the reservation, which covers about 495 square miles, has more than 4,500 American Indians and an unemployment rate of almost 50 percent. Those factors, Dorgan said, mean that many of the residents won't have access to a vehicle to get them to Minnewaukan, the closest polling site.
In a written statement, Dorgan said making it as easy as possible for the residents to get out and vote in November is "a matter of civil rights."
"Given the historical obstacles faced by Native Americans in the voting process, I believe it is critical for our state and counties to ensure convenient, accessible polling locations for these communities," Dorgan wrote. "I hope that Benson County will take these concerns into account and establish a voting site on the Spirit Lake Reservation as they have always done in the past."
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Holmberg named to national committee
North Dakota state Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, recently was named vice-chair of a national committee for state legislatures, he announced Monday.
Holmberg was named to the position on the National Conference of State Legislatures' Redistricting and Elections Committee. NCSL President Richard T. Moore of Massachusetts made the appointment.
"I am honored to represent the interests of state legislatures in the continuing debate over the changing state-federal relationship," Holmberg said in a written statement.
Holmberg has represented District 17, which includes southern Grand Forks and Brenna Township, in the state senate since 1976. Moore said in a written statement that Holmberg has "a great deal of knowledge and experience" on the issues because he served on North Dakota's redistricting committee in 1981, 1991 and 2001.
RRV Patriots to hold 9/11 rally
The Red River Valley Patriots will hold a 9/11 patriots' rally in Grand Forks on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The rally is scheduled to feature patriotic music, motivational speakers and information about the upcoming November elections. Some candidates have been invited to attend.
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The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Grand Forks County Courthouse, 121 S. Fourth St., in downtown Grand Forks.
GF Republicans plan picnic, lunch events
Grand Forks Republicans will hold two events next week that are open to the public.
First up is a picnic in at shelter No. 1 in Lincoln Park from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Local and statewide candidates have been invited to attend, and the event includes a picnic supper and drinks.
There is a $10 charge for the picnic, but the event is free to students with valid ID cards.
At noon Sept. 15, the group will hold a politics and lunch event at the GuestHouse International Town House in downtown Grand Forks.
Tracy Martin, wife of Republican U.S. House candidate Rick Berg, will discuss the campaign as seen through the eyes of his family. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem will also discuss his campaign this year.
Berg is running against incumbent Democratic-NPL Rep. Earl Pomeroy, and Stenehjem is running against Democratic-NPL challenger Jeanette Boechler.
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There is a $10 charge at the door, which includes lunch and a beverage.
Johnson reports on local politics. Reach him at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send e-mail to rjohnson@gfherald.com .
