Cherokee citizens will head to the polls September 24 to decide who will be the next Principal Chief. “That was the date recommended by the Election Commission to best allow our citizens to fully participate in the election,” said Principal Chief Chad Smith. “The commission thought that gave enough time to notify our citizens of the dates important to the election, including a period of time for voters to request absentee ballots.”
Cherokee Nation law says that in such cases, a special election must be called by the Principal Chief “as soon as practical.”
All citizens who were registered to vote in the June 25 general election will be eligible to vote in the special election, officials said. The election law ends voter registration for an election year on March 31 of that year, so voters who registered after the deadline will not be eligible to vote in the special election, says election commission officials.
Registered eligible voters who may not be able to vote in person at the special election can request an absentee ballot from August 1 through August 12.
All voters who requested an absentee ballot in the general and run-off elections will automatically be sent a ballot for the special election and will not need to request a ballot again.
The term of the Principal Chief expires on August 14.
Deputy Chief-Elect Joe Crittenden will besworn in that day and temporarily assume the duties of Principal Chief until a new chief is sworn in after the special election, officials say.
Full Article: Special Election for Principal Chief set for September 24.