Cherokee Nation Election Commission Re-opens Voter Registration For Non-Indians Affected by Recent T

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - The Cherokee Nation announced today that the Cherokee Nation Election Commission has agreed to re-open voter registration for non-Indians whose citizenship status is currently under review. The Election Commission's decision was enacted by a court order signed by Judge John Cripps of Cherokee Nation District Court. The non-Indians' citizenship in the Cherokee Nation was re-instated last week, pending resolution of all citizenship appeals, by a temporary injunction granted by a tribal court. The injunction permits eligible members of the group to vote in the Cherokee Nation election on June 23. The Election Commission agreed that those affected by the temporary injunction should have equal opportunity to register to vote. The order also opens absentee ballot requests for people affected by the injunction granting temporary citizenship.

"The overriding concern is to allow all citizens fair access to our electoral system for the June 23 election," said Diane Hammons, Attorney General for the Cherokee Nation. "There was a time during the voter registration process, and during the absentee ballot request timeframe, where those affected by this ruling may have failed to avail themselves of the opportunity to register to vote or request a ballot. Re-opening these processes allows time for those citizens to register and request an absentee ballot if they so choose."

The ruling grants fair access to the Cherokee voting process for non-Indians who were granted citizenship under a tribal court ruling in 2006, but whose citizenship status was reversed by the subsequent amendment to the Cherokee Nation Constitution, limiting citizenship to those with Indian ancestors on the base roll of the Cherokee people. Those affected are appealing that vote in Cherokee Nation District Court and the court recently issued an injunction permitting temporary citizenship for the group until their appeals are heard or the court issues a further order.

"On March 3 of this year, our people voted their passionate belief that we are an Indian nation, united by a shared bond with our Indian ancestors listed on the base roll of our people" said Mike Miller, a spokesperson for the Cherokee Nation. "At the same time, the Cherokee Nation takes the issue of citizenship very seriously, and our tribal court has ruled that the non-Indians affected by the March 3 vote will remain citizens pending the closure of the appeals process. In the spirit of fairness and equality that are core values of this great Nation, we have taken the appropriate steps to allow time for those citizens to register and participate in this election."

Citizens affected by the temporary injunction allowing them citizenship during the appeal have until June 1 to return voter registration forms and absentee ballot requests to the Cherokee Nation Election Commission in order to be eligible to vote in the June 23 election. To read Judge Cripps' order, please click here: http://www.cherokee.org/docs/news/order.pdf.