Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The 63 candidates for Cherokee Nation public offices will find out their positions on the 2003 ballot at a drawing scheduled for noon on February 20 in the Tribal Council Chambers.

"Our election laws say that ballot position will be decided by lot drawing", said Martha Calico, vice-chair of the Cherokee Nation Election Commission. "Doing it this way (by public drawing) seems real fair."

Calico says the drawing is a great chance for people to meet all the candidates at once.

"It’s probably the only time that all the candidates, or almost all of them, will be in one place at the same time, where they can be interviewed by the press and meet the public", Calico said. "We invite the public to attend."

Cherokee voters will select representatives to fill all 15 Tribal Council seats and the offices of Principal Chief and Deputy Principal Chief during the Cherokee Nation general election on May 24.

The deadline for voter registration or precinct changes is March 3. Voters can request absentee ballots between February 3 and April 11.

The Cherokee Nation general election will be held on May 24, 2003 with a run-off, if necessary, scheduled for July 26.

Tribal leaders elected in either the general election or the run-off will begin their 4-year term of office with a swearing-in ceremony on August 14.

For more information, contact the Cherokee Nation Election Commission, phone: 918-458-5899 or 1-800-353-2895, or visit their web site.

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671