Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH - The Carter Center of Atlanta, monitored the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma's (CNO) May 22 elections. The center's observer delegation congratulated the Cherokee Nation Elections Commission (CNEC) for their "dedication" to a well-run tribal election and to the "professionalism" and "unflappability" shown by the staff.

In a written report the delegation said, "If you accomplished nothing else in this election, your voters can feel confident they have a truly secret ballot which should go a long way toward building their trust in the elections process of the Cherokee Nation."

According to the Carter Center's observers the complaint heard most often concerned voting eligibility and the difficulties involved in registering to vote. CNO citizens feel being registered members of the tribe should be enough to allow them to vote.

The center recommended eliminating voting registration entirely and said in the report that voting could be done on "the basis of tribal registration (blue card) with no permanent voter registration list maintained." In addition the report explained that, "Multiple voting in different precincts would be eliminated by checking tribal registration numbers against the master list." The center also recommended, "allowing day-of-election registration".

It was also suggested that tribe eliminate the requirement for absentee voters to have their ballots notarized writing, "Given the relatively large percentage of absentee ballots, the desire for some form of control is understandable. But notarized ballots have become an anachronism in other elections and costs of notarials serve as a form of poll tax. Anyone trying to beat the system by voting for deceased voters or the like will no doubt have figured out a way to beat the notary process as well." It was also suggested that absentee ballots be allowed to be delivered in person."

The report warned of the "perils in low voter participation as it opens the door to manipulation of outcomes through marginal activities as a few swing votes can have a significant impact on outcomes." The center wrote that concerning election day issues, the basic principle is "Keep it Simple".

Run-off elections will be held on Saturday, July 24, 1999 as no candidates, running for the offices of Chief or Deputy Chief, received the required 50 plus 1 percent of the votes. Two council seats will also be included in the run-off's.

Chad Smith and Hastings Shade, backed by a coalition of former candidates, are running for the offices of Principal and Deputy Chief, respectively, against the incumbent Joe Byrd and his running mate, former CNO Council member Bill John Baker.

Candidates for council run-off's include: Don Garvin vs. Teasie McCrary, Jr. for District 4, McInstosh/Muskogee Counties and Harold "Jay" DeMoss vs. James B. Hammett for District 7, Rogers County.