Three members of theMississippi Band of Choctaw Indians say the tribe should vote on a proposed casino.

Vickie Rangel, Austin Tubby and Bobbie Frazier filed a petition for a referendum after the tribal council voted 8-7 to approve the casino. The petition was rejected as invalid and an amended petition was deemed as untimely.

The group now wants the tribal court to rule on the matter. Rangel says the Choctaw constitution gives members the authority to reject tribal council decisions.

The tribe is moving forward with a casino near Sandersville, in Jones County. The site is considered part of the reservation although it is not contiguous to the main reservation.

The site is about 80 miles from tribal headquarters in Philadelphia, where the tribe operates two casinos.

Get the Story:
MBCI members opposed to casino taking case to court (The Laurel Leader-Call 7/22)
Taylor, Palazzo oppose casino (The Laurel Leader-Call 7/22)
Petitioners want Choctaw Tribal Court to hear Jones casino appeal (The Neshoba Democrat 7/21)

Related Stories:
State lawmaker backs Mississippi Choctaws in casino controversy (7/20)
Mississippi AG concludes no way to challenge new Choctaw casino (7/19)
Mississippi governor asks NIGC to block work on Choctaw facility (7/16)
State officials send another letter on Mississippi Choctaw casino (7/14)
Mississippi Choctaws discuss Class II facility with local officials (7/13)
Column: Mississippi Choctaw casino bid heads toward litigation (7/12)
Mississippi Choctaw election commission denies vote on casino (7/8)
County approves resolution against Mississippi Choctaw casino (7/7)
Mississippi Choctaw election commission considers casino vote (7/1)
Column: Governor threatens Mississippi Choctaws over casino (6/28)
Editorial: Mississippi Choctaws go 'low-rent' with casino plans (6/25)
Mississippi Choctaw members seek referendum on casino bid (6/24)
Mississippi governor promises legal action on Choctaw casino (6/23)
State official questions Mississippi Choctaw casino compact (6/21)
Editorial: Local input needed for Mississippi Choctaw casino (6/14)
Mississippi governor plans to fight proposed Choctaw casino (6/11)
Mississippi Choctaw leaders back casino off main reservation (6/9)
Opinion: Mississippi Choctaw casino will hurt the community (5/31)
Letter: Mississippi Choctaws look out for their communities (5/24)
Letter: Mississippi Choctaw casino will hurt local community (5/21)
Mississippi Choctaw council delays action on casino project (5/20)
Church groups line up to oppose Mississippi Choctaw casino (5/19)
Mississippi Choctaw tribal council delays vote on casino bid (5/11)
Mississippi Choctaw tribal council to vote on casino plans (5/7)
Mississippi Choctaws planning casino off main reservation (5/5)