| July 22, 2011 PRESS
RELEASE -- Meredith Frailey, Speaker (Council of Cherokee Nation)
Today, the Cherokee
Nation Supreme Court issued an Order vacating all certifications of
the Election Commission concerning the 2011 General Election for the
office of Principal Chief. The evidence clearly showed that there was
an inability to determine the winner of the Principal Chief election
by a mathematical certainty. Consequently, the Court unanimously chose
to follow the rule of law and order a new election for office of Principal
Chief. This process is a testament to our government that each branch
operates independently and fairly.
According to law,
the Principal Chief will set an election in the coming days. In the
immediate future, the Cherokee people will have a number of questions
on how the process will be administered. The Tribal Council will help
ensure that every rule is followed and every law obeyed, and that safeguards
are in place to ensure that the Cherokee people’s voice is heard
in this election.
The Cherokee Nation
Tribal Council stands ready to review all policies and procedures and
election laws to ensure a well administered special election. We have
requested the Cherokee Nation Election Commission to hire an independent
election service to assist in the election process. We hope they follow
our recommendations. We may also exercise our constitutional authority
to improve our election laws to help avoid some of the issues our Nation
faced in this past election. Both Principal Chief candidates have called
for a review of how our elections have been conducted. The Tribal Council
may find it prudent to take the time necessary to consider these potential
changes. I urge Chief Smith to consider allowing time for the Council
to address these concerns when he schedules the Special Election.
The upcoming election
likely will involve spirited debate and discourse concerning the future
path of the Cherokee Nation. In discussing those issues that are important
to the Cherokee people, we are certain the candidates will exercise
those Cherokee traits that we hold most dear: honesty, civility and
truthfulness, and that the debate will be respectful and thoughtful.
We have a strong
government. The way to ensure and maintain that strength is to exercise
our right to vote. Our decision in voting affects all Cherokee citizens
and our neighbors. The Cherokee people have been put to a test by the
trials and tribulations of the recent election cycle. The result is
that the character of the Cherokee Nation is strong and we will emerge
even stronger as a result of the test.
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