High court leaves North Dakota voter ID rules intact for now

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A new U.S. Supreme Court decision means North Dakota can continue to require residents to provide a street address in order to vote on Election Day.

Some American Indian tribes argued that street addresses aren't always assigned on reservations and the requirements discriminate against Native Americans.

Members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa sued. In April, a federal judge issued an injunction that would have allowed voters to use identification that included a mailing address, such as a post office box.

But the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked that ruling in September. The tribes made an emergency appeal, but the U.S. Supreme Court decided Tuesday that it would not vacate the appeals court decision, meaning the state's voter ID requirements stay in place for now.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger says he's pleased with the decision.