A lawsuit over term limits for tribal leaders has been handed to a district court of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

Principal Chief Chad Smith filed the suit last November. He wants know when a provision in the constitution that limits tribal leaders to two terms in office took effect.

If the provision took effect in 2003, when the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the constitution, then Smith can run for office again. But if it took effect earlier -- for example, 1999, when tribal voters approved the constitution -- then he cannot because he has already been elected three times.

The tribe's attorney general believes the provision took effect in 2003.

Get the Story:
Term limits suit moves to District Court (The Cherokee Phoenix 3/25)

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