Native groups warn the Supreme Court's decision on the Voting Rights Act could make voting much harder on South Dakota reservations. 

The Supreme Court ruled racial redistricting under the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. South Dakota-based Four Directions Native Vote has won lawsuits under the law in many states, including South Dakota, establishing satellite voting centers on reservations. 

OJ Semans, the group's co-executive director, said that's made it easier for Native voters because they don't have to drive such long distances to vote. He said he fears the Supreme Court ruling could take that away.

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"It basically opens the door for anything that was done to achieve equality," said Semans, "to be relooked at and maybe walked back."

The court's ruling struck down a Louisiana redistricting map that created a second majority-Black district. 

Semans said he sees this ruling as the final gutting of the Voting Rights Act. He said he also feels the South Dakota Legislature is making it harder to vote, citing the state's new law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in state and local elections. 

Lawmakers passed the law this session, and it took effect immediately, meaning it's in place for the state's primary election on June 2. It applies to new voter registrations, not those already registered to vote.

Semans said he believes this legislation and the Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act are harmful to the country, along with efforts to disenfranchise minority groups and people who live in rural areas. 

He said his group will meet any efforts to remove satellite voting offices from reservations with great legal force. He said the goal is to secure Native voters' rights.

"They have the poorest counties, the poorest lands, and lack the transportation," said Semans. "So it's only right for us to fight to give them an opportunity to participate equally in elections."

South Dakota's deadline to register to vote is Monday, May 18.