"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Promotes Voter Awareness

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Choosing elected officials who understand and support the concerns of the Cherokee Nation and its citizens is important, and the tribe’s Government Relations Program is dedicated to educating and encouraging citizens on the magnitude of exercising their right to vote.

“Our office works to inform Cherokee citizens about the difference their vote can make in elections,” said Ginger Brown, Government Relations Director. “Working to put officials with pro-Cherokee and pro-Native American platforms in elected and appointed offices is important to the Cherokee Nation and our citizens.”

The tribe’s Get out the Vote campaign has included providing a red ‘Cherokee Vote Counts’ t-shirt to employees and passing out voter awareness bracelets and stress balls at various parades and football games in the tribe’s jurisdictional area.

The purpose of the campaign is to show the strength of the Cherokee vote and to increase the number of registered voters within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. The Government Relations program also promotes education and awareness activities to keep voters informed on tribal and Native American issues.

Additionally, the Cherokee Nation has created an Oklahoma voter’s guide.

“We believe that informed Cherokee citizens are an important part of protecting our sovereignty,” said Brown. “That is why the Cherokee Nation has worked to provide Oklahoma voters with information about candidates that will be on the Oklahoma ballots.”

A questionnaire was sent to each of the candidates in northeastern Oklahoma who are running for State Senate, State House, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The results were compiled into a special voter’s guide that focuses on how candidates responded to issues of interest to Cherokees and other Oklahomans. The guide is available on the Cherokee Nation web site under: Public Notices - November 4th elections. Download: (VotersGuide.pdf - 1MB)

For those who have not yet registered to vote, the deadline for doing so is Friday, October 10. Voter registration forms can be found throughout Cherokee Nation service areas. For more information, please contact the Cherokee Nation Government Relations Office, phone: 918-453-5675.