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Equal opportunity should be given to all candidates

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Editor, 

The People’s Voice requested use of the Joe/Arlee Building (SKC) for use on Oct 18, 2013 for a “meet the candidate/ guest speaker” dinner. The election board chairman sent word threatening instant disqualification should any candidates attend. Quoting the 2013 election rules prohibiting use of any tribal or tribal affiliated building, SKC for campaign purpose only community and senior citizen centers were allowed. The meeting was canceled, and guest speaker was a go but as meeting was just about to start they also had to leave. 

On Nov. 2, 2013 tribal primary election day, the Ronan election judges failed to remove all campaign material “prior” to opening polls. Tracy Burland set up his campaign table a few feet beyond the 200 ft mark and campaigned for the 12 hours, having verbal altercations with anyone who challenged his loop-hole interpretation. The primary resulted in a tie for Elmo. The following run off on Nov. 16, 2013 resulted in 780 votes total. 

Does anyone remember the petition, secretarial election referendums all require 1/3 of the eligible voters implying tribal elections to follow suit. The tribal constitution was adopted by a majority vote of 30 percent of the eligible voters. The total context is based on continual integrity in our council chambers. We are experiencing the results of the loopholes, and individual interpretation seekers in our tribal government. On Dec. 2, 2013 an election board sanctioned candidate forum was held at the SKC Joe/Arlee Building, the same building the Oct. 18, 2013 meeting of candidates was disallowed, according to the election board chairman, and election rules 8 of the 10 council candidates are now disqualified, and can not run for election. Even as the “sole authority” the election rules need to follow our constitution, with equal opportunity, no diversity in rules no interpretations of unwritten allowances for incumbents. When is enough, enough?

Sybil Butler
Dixon

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