Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
Tahlequah, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court ordered the tribe’s election services to perform an immediate recount on Thursday, a count that could determine the contested race for Principal Chief.
The hearing was held after the challenger, Tribal Councilman Bill John Baker, had petitioned the court for an emergency injunction, Tuesday evening.
The results of the June 25th election have been hotly debated and it is still uncertain as to who will prevail. Both parties have already taken measures to protest the decision made at the end of Thursday’s recount.
Tahlequah, Okla. – Bill John Baker, the defeated candidate in the June 25th race for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, filed on Tuesday an injunction with the tribe’s top court seeking election documents, an effort to challenge the certified results.
TAHLEQAH, Okla. – The race for principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma – scheduled for June 25 – has voters deciding between two candidates: Incumbent chief Chad Smith and tribal councilor Bill John Baker.
For voters within the Cherokee Nation, located in Northeastern Oklahoma, looking for a change in leadership, Baker, 59, could be the stand out candidate.
Updated – July 1, 2011, 1:25 p.m.:
The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court on Friday morning issued a ruling making official the recount that showed challenging councilman Bill John Baker as the victor in the June 25th election for principal chief.
Incumbent, and apparently outgoing, chief Chad Smith questioned the recount results and is expected to file a challenge.
The election commission attorney said the recount included 269 absentee ballots not calculated into the original tally.
Previously: June 30, 2011
