Cherokee Nation Election For Principal Chief, Take Two

Russell Hulstine, NewsOn6.com

TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma -- On Saturday, September 24, all Cherokee Nation registered voters can visit one of the many Cherokee Nation polling locations across northeastern Oklahoma from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the second election for Principal Chief.

In-person absentee voting began on Saturday, September 17, 2011, and Cherokee Nation officials are expecting a bigger turnout than the first election at the end of June.

The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court vacated the results of the June 25, 2011, election, calling them invalid. That election started with Bill John Baker as the unofficial winner, Chief Chad Smith as the official winner, then Baker the winner again after a recount.

Cherokee Nation registered voters have already been casting their absentee ballots in the second election.

See list of election precinct locations.

Freedmen voters who are unable to vote on Saturday, can vote in-person absentee on Thursday, September 29, 2011 and Thursday, October 6, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day only at the Cherokee Nation Election Commission offices in Tahlequah.

9/20/2011 Related Story: Cherokee Nation Makes Deal Allowing Freedmen Vote

All mailed absentee ballots are due back by Saturday, October 8, 2011.

And for the second time since 1999, the Carter Center out of Atlanta, Georgia will be monitoring this second election for Principal Chief.

9/13/2011 Related Story: Carter Center To Observe Cherokee Nation's Principal Chief Election