Cherokee Chief Delays Special Election To March 3

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- A vote on whether descendants of freed Cherokee Nation slaves can be members of the tribe now will be held March 3rd.<br/><br/>The date is the third set for the special election.<br/><br/>After

Friday, December 29th 2006, 6:11 am

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- A vote on whether descendants of freed Cherokee Nation slaves can be members of the tribe now will be held March 3rd.

The date is the third set for the special election.

After receiving a signature petition, Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith had set the election for October 6th, but a freedmen descendent, Vicki Baker of Chelsea, sued, contending the petition contained numerous instances of fraud.

Last week, in a split decision, the Cherokee Supreme Court ruled that the petition was valid and said Smith acted within his authority to call for a special election. Smith then set the election for February 10th.

Smith says that delaying the election until March will allow the tribe's election commission more time to prepare.

Voters will decide on whether to amend the tribal constitution to make Indian blood a requirement for citizenship. The tribal Supreme Court ruled in March that freedmen did qualify for citizenship.