Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH - The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia has been asked to observe the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) election's which will be held on May 22. The center was established in the name of former President Carter, for the purpose of monitoring elections held in foreign countries, to see that the elections are run fairly.

Nathan Young, a Tahlequah attorney, said he has been in contact with the center since Nick Lay of Ochelata was permanently barred from running for and/or holding any tribal office, by the Cherokee Election Commission (CEC).

Young said, "Jimmy Carter has monitored elections overseas to make sure they are fair. If he can do that in Third World countries, he can do it in a 'Fourth World' country like the Cherokee Nation."

According to Young, the Carter Center has asked him to make a written presentation and he said that the request will be made in his position as the Cherokee Nation Bar Association Chairman.

Nick Lay, who is running for his second term on the CNO Council, represents district 8. Lay appealed the CEC decision in tribal court and has been reinstated by the Judicial Appeals Tribunal, the CNO's supreme court.

A Tulsa attorney, Chuck Shipley, had request that the U.S. Justice Department help the tribal councilor.