FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: November 2, 2021
CONTACT: Erik Rodriguez, Public Relations Manager
Call 989-775-4059
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal community has elected its newest Tribal Council for the 2021-2023 term in the General Election held on November 2, 2021. District 1 members had the opportunity to select ten representatives, District 2 members selected one representative and District 3 also selected one representative. Voter participation for the 2021 General Election reached a combined 38.86%. Please see the attached results sheet for complete details on the 2021 Tribal Council General Election.
The Tribal Clerk announced that a tie has occurred for the tenth seat in District One and in accordance with Ordinance 4 Elections 062321 Section 18: “If it shall appear on the canvass of the votes polled at the General Election or a Special Election, that two or more persons have received an equal number of votes within the same district, and seating both or all tied Tribal Council candidates will result in more than the Constitutionally authorized number to be seated for that voting district; the Tribal Clerk shall announce that a tie has occurred, and shall thereafter schedule a run-off election. The run-off election shall be held for the purpose of breaking the tie in the affected district or districts. Said run-off election shall be scheduled for no later than the last Tuesday in November immediately following the election. After adequate notice of the run-off election is given to the registered voters of the affected district or districts, the Tribal Clerk shall conduct the run-off election pursuant to the procedures and provisions enumerated in this Ordinance.” The run-off election to break the tie in District One will take place on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 between Theresa Jackson and Sheila Leaureaux.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is comprised of three districts that account for the total registered voting membership of 2,378 out of a possible 2,761 that had the ability to register to vote. District 1 is the Reservation in Isabella County and has 1,044 registered voters out of a possible 1,143 who were eligible to register. Voter participation in District 1 was 52.30%. District 2 is the Saganing Reservation in Arenac County that has 44 registered voters out of the 46 who were eligible to register. Voter participation in District 2 was 36.36%. Finally, District 3, or the At-Large district, are those members who are reflective of the remaining tribal membership that live outside either of the reservations boundaries and account for the remaining 1,290 registered voters out of a possible 1,572 who were eligible to register. Voter participation for District 3 was 28.06%.
The newly elected Tribal Council of twelve will be sworn in during the Tuesday, December 7, 2021 General Council Meeting. This schedule is preliminary, allowing for any election protest in accordance with Tribal Law. The Election Caucus Committee has reviewed and certified the results of the General Election for 2021.
By ordinance, any Candidate for office or voter in the election may protest the results, and only for the voting district in which such voter or candidate is registered, within 3 business days of the General Election. The election protest deadline is Friday, November 5, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. By ordinance, any Tribal member voting in the election may contest a ballot count within 7 calendar days of the General Election with a deadline of Thursday, November 11, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. in the district which he/she is a registered voter. The Caucus Committee has the right to review and determine whether another count is necessary.
Please contact Erik Rodriguez, Public Relations Manager, at (989) 775-4059 or at erodriguez@sagchip.org for more information on the announcement.
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