The war of words over the Cherokee Nation’s Election results continues this holiday weekend. Principal Chief Chad Smith wants a machine recount. Smith lost the election after the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court upheld the election and certified Bill John Baker as the new principal chief on Thursday.
Earlier, Baker was declared the winner in an unofficial vote, then Smith was certified the winner Monday, and now it’s Baker win, by a 271 vote difference. Smith says he wants to get to the bottom of the different vote counts and there’s only one way to do it.
“This is not about him this is not about me. if he believes in our institution he would be joining me in trying to get a machine count for this election,” says Smith.
Despite all of back and forth developments Bill John Baker says he is the chief elect. He sent out a statement last tonight:
“Smith’s latest attempt to hold onto power is claiming that he does not trust the work of his hand-picked election commission.”
“It is time for Chad Smith to concede defeat, and let the Cherokee people come together and Start moving forward.”the inauguration is set for August 14th.
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