Sault Tribe starts 2008 election process

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS

************************* Notice of election released

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. - The Sault Tribe Election Committee released the notice of election on January 25, which officially marks the start of the 2008 tribal election cycle.

Members of the Sault Tribe will vote for seven seats on the tribe’s board of directors.

Officers to be elected this year include, the chairperson, three Unit I representatives, and one representative from Units II, III and IV.

Following the notice of election, those seeking candidacy can file their letter of intent with the election committee.

All letters of intent filed with the election committee are due March 28.

To be nominated, a candidate must also file a nominating petition, which will be available March 28 and due to the election committee on April 17.

The official candidate list for the primary election will be finalized and released on April 24.

The board seats up for election are currently held by Aaron Payment (chairperson), Joe Eitrem (Unit I), Todd Gravelle (Unit I), Cathy Abramson (Unit I), Lana Causley (Unit II), Fred Paquin (Unit III) and Tom Miller (Unit IV).

The deadline for returning voter registration forms is March 28.

All members who have recently turned 18 years of age or will turn 18 years of age on or before the general election date are eligible to register to vote and must register if they want to vote.

Once you have registered, you will not need to register to vote again unless you have moved in or out of an election unit.

Voter registration is permanent.

Voter registration forms are available on the Sault Tribe website.

If you believe that you may be required to register to vote (all previously registered members are considered permanently registered), you should contact the Tribal Election Committee at (906) 635-6050 or 1-800-793-0660 or the tribal registrar's office at (906) 635-3396 or (800) 251-6597.

Primary ballots will be mailed out on May 1.

Primary ballots must be filled out, mailed back and received by the election committee by May 22.

General election ballots will be mailed June 5.

General election ballots must be filled out, mailed back and received by the election committee by June 26.

The tribe’s seven county service area is divided into five voting units, with Unit I representing the Sault Ste. Marie area, Unit II representing the Drummond Island/Rudyard/Newberry area, Unit III representing the St. Ignace area, Unit IV representing the Manistique/Escanaba area, and Unit V representing the Marquette/Munising area.

It should be noted that enrolled Sault Tribe members ages 18 and over living outside of the five units are eligible to vote if they have completed the voter registration process.

For detailed election information, tribal members and those seeking candidacy should review the notice of election and election code in their entirety and/or contact the election committee for specific election questions.

Both documents are available on the Sault Tribe website.

*************************