Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Tribal Code
Election Ordinance
Article X. Balloting and Voting
Section 1.
A voting area shall be the type that insures privacy while marking the ballot(s). The voting area shall consist of either voting booths, tables for handicap voters or other means to insure that registered voters can cast their vote.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 1, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 1
Section 2.
The voter shall use only the ballot given at the time of signing the registry book. Signature of each voter must be legible and unassisted, unless the voter is one of the persons identified in Section 3 A, B, or C of this Article. If necessary, an Election Commissioner may print the name next to a signature for clarity.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 2, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 2
Section 3.
There shall be one person in a voting booth at a time. Exceptions:
A) A physically disabled person may have assistance in marking a ballot.
B) Visually impaired person may have assistance in marking a ballot.
C) Non-reading and non-English speaking person may have assistance in marking a ballot.
D) Any disabled person needing assistance in casting their vote shall notify the Election Commission immediately upon arriving at the polling place and before signing the registry book.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 3, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 3
Section 4.
The voter, after receiving an official ballot, shall immediately proceed to an unoccupied booth or designated area provided.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 4, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 4
Section 5.
Ballots shall be marked in ink with preference of either an X or / or any distinct mark in spaces provided on the ballot.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 5, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 5
Section 6.
The voter shall remove the numbered section from the ballot prior to placing in the Ballot Box(s).
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 6, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 6
Section 7.
If for any reason a ballot(s) becomes spoiled, the voter shall return all ballot(s) to the Election Commission where the ballot(s) will be marked as spoiled. The voter with the spoiled ballot(s) will re-sign the registry book and the registry book will be noted that a spoiled ballot has occurred and a new ballot will be issued.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 7, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 7
Section 8.
At the closing of the polls, all persons in line at 6:00 p.m. (Central Time Zone) shall be allowed to vote. NO others will be allowed to join the line past the closing hour. Verification of time will be by a designated Election Commission Member and the Tribal Police Officer on duty.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 8, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 8
Section 9.
Absentee ballot(s) shall be made available to voters for all Tribal Elections. Absentee Ballot Requests will only be accepted on the official “Absentee Ballot” form.
A) Voters who will be unable to appear at the polls, must submit an Absentee Ballot request at least twenty (20) days prior to the day of the Election in order to vote by Absentee Ballot.
B) Absentee Ballot Requests made within the twenty (20) days prior to the Election will be handled on an “emergency” basis only and will have to be verified by the Election Commission before being allowed to vote. It will be the sole discretion of the Election Commission to determine the validity status of the request for an “emergency” ballot and all such requests must be in writing.
C) The Election Commission shall maintain a record of all Absentee Ballot Requests, together with names and addresses of all persons to whom Absentee Ballots were mailed. All pertinent forms shall be clearly stamped “ABSENTEE BALLOT RECORD”
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 9, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 9
Section 10.
Information to accompany the Absentee Ballot:
A) An affidavit stating that the eligible voter has an enrollment number and has personally marked his or her ballot in ink, and has not shown his or her marked ballot to anyone.
B) The affidavit must be notarized by a notary public.
C) An instructional sheet will be provided explaining the procedure for returning the Absentee Ballot to the Election Commission.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 10, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 10
Section 11.
Absentee Ballots shall be received by the Election Commission up to 5:00 p.m. the day before the Election and must be officially marked as “ABSENTEE BALLOT” otherwise the ballot shall be declared invalid and will not be counted.
Upon the return of the Absentee Ballot, an Election Commission Member or designee will place the entire, unopened, returned envelope in a safe and secure place.
On the morning of the election, any person wishing to view the Absentee Ballot process can do so.
Absentee Shawnee Election Code Art. X, 11, AST ELECTION Code Art. X, 11