Published: May 21, 2009 02:42 pm      

Chickasaws announce election filing period

Pauls Valley — ADA — The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission announces the filing period opens June 1 and continues through June 3 for this year’s general elections.

Candidates must file in the election secretary’s office, located in the Government Services building in Ada, located at 2015 Lonnie Abbott Industrial Boulevard.

Candidates may file between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Legislative seats to be filled are Seat 1 of Pontotoc District; Seat 2 of Pontotoc District; Seat 1 of Pickens District; Seat 4 of Pickens District and Seat 1 in the Tishomingo District.

Seat 2 of the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court is also up for this year’s election.

Legislative candidates must be registered Chickasaw voters at least 25 years of age.

Those candidates must also be residents of the Chickasaw Nation for at least one year and of their respective district for at least six months immediately preceding the election.

Legislators must remain residents of their elected district during the tenure of their office. Term of office is three years. Filing fees are $500.

Judicial candidates must be registered voters of the Chickasaw Nation at least 30 years of age.

Judges must reside within the Chickasaw Nation during tenure of office. Term of office is three years. Filing fees are also $500.

Candidates must bring verification of physical and mailing address, such as a utility bill or homestead exemption and filing fee.

Upon filing, they must complete a financial disclosure statement.

Statements are also due at the end of every month during the candidate’s active campaign period.

Candidates will receive an electoral packet containing election rules and regulations, the Chickasaw Constitution, financial disclosure forms, biography form for the Chickasaw Times and watcher form.

Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony, and background checks are conducted on all candidates.

The tribe’s primary election is July 28 and run-off election Aug. 25, if applicable.

For more information, contact Rita Loder, election secretary, toll free at 1-888-661-0137.