The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians was forced to close its casino on October 9, 2014, and an election aimed at resolving the dispute is already suffering from serious problems.
Tribal members are heading to the polls tomorrow with the goal of choosing one slate of leaders. But a fourth of the candidates have already withdrawn their names and rival factions are being reformed on the reservation, The Fresno Bee reported. One faction is already planning its own election, the paper said.
The lack of stability is likely to prevent the Chukchansi Gold Resort &
Casino from reopening anytime soon. The facility closed after rival factions clashed there last year.
The volatile situation prompted the National Indian Gaming Commission to issue a notice of violation and a temporary closure order that remains in place. A federal
judge also issued a preliminary injunction at the request of the state of
California.
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Chukchansi election unlikely to unite factions, reopen casino
(The Fresno Bee 10/2)
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