Members of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma will vote on Saturday for principal chief but the results won't be known until October 10 at the earliest.

Citizens can cast ballots until October 8 under a court order that was approved by a federal judge on Wednesday. The extension gives the Freedmen, who are the descendants of former slaves, and other tribal members more time to vote in the wake of confusion and uncertainty about the election.

Chad Smith, who was the incumbent, is facing a strong challenge from Bill John Baker, a tribal councilor. The results of the first election between the pair were thrown out due to uncertainty.

Joe Crittenden, who was elected deputy chief, is serving as acting chief until the winner of the race is declared.

Get the Story:
Freedmen descendant says issue is still a struggle (The Cherokee Phoenix 9/23)
Cherokee Nation Election For Principal Chief, Take Two (News on 6 9/23)
Results on upcoming Cherokee election won't be known until Oct. 10 (The Tulsa World 9/23)
? Fed order supercedes CN decision (The Tahlequah Daily Press 9/23)

Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Decision:
Cherokee Nation Registrar v. Nash (August 22, 2011)

Related Stories:
Judge approves order for Freedmen vote in Cherokee election (9/22)
Cherokee Nation allows Freedmen to vote in Saturday's election (9/21)
Federal judge to hear arguments in Cherokee Freedmen lawsuit (9/20)
NPR: Cherokee Nation facing scrutiny for ousting the Freedmen (9/20)
Cherokee Nation starts sending provisional ballots to Freedmen (9/16)
NYT: Tribal rights vs. racial justice in Cherokee Freedmen battle (9/16)
Blog: Rush Limbaugh offers take on Cherokee Freedmen dispute (9/16)
Steve Russell: The circus that has become the Cherokee Nation (9/15)
Cherokee Nation to allow Freedmen to cast provisional ballots (9/15)
Editorial: Cherokee Nation faces pressure on fate of Freedmen (9/15)
Acting Cherokee Nation chief vows to protect tribe's interests (9/14)
BIA warns Cherokee Nation about disenrollment of Freedmen (9/13)
Lawmakers want HUD to restore funding to Cherokee Nation (9/12)
HUD won't release funds to Cherokee Nation in Freedmen flap (9/8)
Judge sets hearing on Freedmen motion for Cherokee election (9/6)
Freedmen eye lawsuit in federal court over Cherokee election (8/30)
Freedmen seek appeal for loss of Cherokee Nation citizenship (8/29)
Jay Tavare: Divide and conquer -- disenrollment among tribes (8/25)
Turtle Talk: Tribal courts, treaty rights and treaty rights disputes (8/25)
Cherokee Freedmen lose right to vote in upcoming chief election (8/24)
Decision allows Cherokee Nation to remove Freedmen from rolls (8/23)