Each year, Citizen Potawatomi Nation holds elections for seats in the tribal legislature. Legislative terms are staggered, meaning a certain number of seats are always on the ballot. This method means a wholesale turnover of representatives is impossible and keeps continuity and institutional knowledge in the elected government body.
For 2018, the offices of Vice-Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and legislative districts 5, 6, 7 and 8 are up for election. With a filing deadline of Jan. 10, the election committee has certified the official slate of candidates.
Incumbent Vice-Chairman Linda Capps and incumbent Secretary/Treasurer are both running unopposed. District 5 Legislator Gene Lambert, District 6 Legislator Rande Payne and District 8 Legislator Dave Carney are also running unopposed.
District 7 Legislator Mark Johnson has drawn an opponent. Tribal member Browning Neddeau is running to represent the northern portions of California, Nevada and Utah.
Only CPN members age 18 or older as of Election Day are eligible to vote. All eligible CPN voters can participate in the election for Vice-Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer, while only those who live within a district may cast ballots for legislative candidates running in their respective district. In-person voting commences June 30 during the annual CPN Family Reunion Festival in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Election Committee will mail absentee ballot request forms to all eligible voters after March 1.
More information is available at CPN’s Election Central website, cpnelectioncentral.com.