Standing Rock Sioux Tribe goes to polls without constitutional changes on ballot

Tuesday, September 26, 2017  

Efforts to change the constitution of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are on hold while citizens go to the polls to elect their leaders.

Tribal citizens were supposed to vote on seven amendments on Wednesday. But they were taken off the ballot in response to a tribal court ruling, The Bismarck Tribune reported.

According to the ruling, the tribe didn't follow its "customs and traditions" and inform citizens about the changes, the paper reported. Elders said they hadn't been consulted, the paper said.

The tribe held two meetings on September 19 to discuss the amendments, according to an announcement. But the judge issued an injunction on Friday blocking the vote.

The tribe will go ahead with the election for 11 council seats, including the chairman, vice chairman and secretary posts. Chairman Dave Archambault II, the incumbent, is seeking re-election. His rival is Mike Faith.

Read More on the Story:
Tribal court injunction prevents vote on constitutional amendments (The Bismarck Tribune September 25, 2017)

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe enters election season with crowded field (May 26, 2017)