Cherokee Nation election commission delays action on new vote

Wednesday, July 27, 2011  

The election commission of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma won't set a new date for the principal chief election until the tribe's attorney general rules on three issues.

The commission wants to know whether people who registered after the March 31 deadline for the original election can vote in the new one. About 3,000 tribal members would be affected, The Muskogee Phoenix reported.

The commission also wants to know whether people who contributed the maximum amount can donate more money for the special election. The last question deals with the voting rights of people who filed applications to relinquish their Cherokee Nation citizenship.

Additionally, the commission is waiting on the tribal council to appoint a new chairman. The prior chairman left due to the controversy over the first election.

“We’re all in a waiting mode until the next election,” Lloyd Cole, the attorney for the commission, told The Muskogee Phonix. “We’re ready to assume our roles in that election.”

The tribe's Supreme Court threw out the results of the first vote between incumbent chief Chad Smith and challenger Bill John Baker and ordered a new election.

Get the Story:
Election waits on tribal AG ruling (The Muskogee Phoenix 7/26)
Cherokee Nation delays scheduling new election (The Tulsa World 7/26)

Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Decision:
In the Matter of 2011 General Election (July 21, 2011)

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