{"id":1576,"date":"2024-10-16T10:50:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T15:50:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/NativeVote\/?p=1576"},"modified":"2024-11-05T11:24:03","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T17:24:03","slug":"choctaw-nation-chief-a-yes-vote-for-tribal-sovereignty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/NativeVote\/2024\/10\/16\/choctaw-nation-chief-a-yes-vote-for-tribal-sovereignty\/","title":{"rendered":"Choctaw Nation Chief: A ‘yes’ vote for tribal sovereignty"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vote to Retain Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices<\/h2>Published October 16, 2024<\/span>

DURANT, Oklahoma<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 In the November 5 election<\/a>, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices Kauger, Gurich, and Edmondson will be on the ballot for a judicial retention election. This means voters can decide if the justices remain on the Oklahoma Supreme Court or if the current governor will replace them with the assistance of the Judicial Nomination Commission.<\/p><\/header>

People for Opportunity<\/a>, a far-right think tank, is trying to convince voters not to retain these three justices for political gain, arguing that they are \u201cactivist, liberal\u201d judges. If the justices are not retained, the current governor will have appointed six of the nine Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices.<\/p>

These justices have been nonpartisan, serving only the established law and citizens of Oklahoma. That these judges have voted in favor of tribal sovereignty in all cases before them is likely not a coincidence.<\/p>

\u201cElections have consequences. When I cast my ballot in the upcoming election, I\u2019ll be voting to retain Justices Kauger, Gurich, and Edmondson on the Oklahoma State Supreme Court as I believe a \u201cyes\u201d vote on retaining these justices is also a vote in favor of tribal sovereignty\u201d, states Chief Batton<\/a>.<\/p>

See below for more information<\/a> on why the Choctaw Nation supports retaining these justices.<\/p>

Oklahoma State Supreme Court Judge Retention Campaign<\/a><\/div><\/p>

Oklahoma State Supreme Court Judge Retention Campaign<\/a><\/p>

About The Choctaw Nation<\/h4>

The Choctaw Nation<\/a> is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 225,000 tribal members and 12,000-plus associates. This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. The Choctaw Nation\u2019s vision, \u201cLiving out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture,\u201d is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity.<\/p><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cWhen I cast my ballot in the upcoming election, I\u2019ll be voting to retain Justices Kauger, Gurich, and Edmondson on the Oklahoma State Supreme Court as I believe a ‘yes’ vote on retaining these justices is also a vote in favor of tribal sovereignty\u201d, states Choctaw Nation Chief Batton.<\/p>\n

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