Each year, CPN’s Tribal election takes place on the last Saturday in June at the Family Reunion Festival. Here are some things you might need to know about this year’s election.

New voting location

This year, in-person voting takes place at FireLake Arena. After registration, follow signs to cast your vote.

What’s on the ballot?

The office of CPN Vice-Chairman is up for election this year, with current Vice-Chairman Linda Capps deciding not to run again. Candidates include Martha Kimberly Nootbaar, Charles Scott and Jason Smalley.

In the legislative races, District 5 candidates include Ryan Hubble, James Newberry and Lorrie Underwood.

District 7 candidates include incumbent Legislator Mark Johnson and his opponent, Katie Bowie.

You can learn more about these candidates in the Candidate Q&As included in the Hownikan in the March, April and May issues. They will also offer final statements in the June issue.

Approval of Supreme Court justices Jennifer Lamirand, Zane Anderson and Alan Holloway will be included on the ballot, as well as approval of Chief District Court Judge Gregory Quinlan and Associate District Judge 2 Stephen Barnes.

Also on the ballot will be approval of CPN’s budget for the upcoming year.

Positions where the incumbent won the race due to running unopposed include Secretary/Treasurer D. Wayne Trousdale, District 6 Legislator Rande Payne and District 8 Legislator David Carney.

See the map included with the story if you have questions about which district you live in.

Who is eligible to vote in the election?

Every member of Citizen Potawatomi Nation who is 18 years of age or older is eligible to vote in the election.

How does voting work in person?

The election takes place each year on the last Saturday in June during the Family Reunion Festival.

All Tribal members who are of age may vote in person at FireLake Arena, located at 18145 Old Rangeline Rd, Shawnee, Oklahoma. Voting instructions will be provided at the polling location.

Polls will open at 7 a.m., Saturday, June 27, and will close at 2 p.m. Anyone in line to vote by 2 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote.

To vote in person, you must bring your Tribal ID to confirm that you are an enrolled member of Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (If you have an old Tribal ID that does not include a photo, you will also need to provide a second form of ID that includes a photo, such as a driver’s license.)

If you are physically unable to vote and need assistance, you may request assistance from the Election Committee.

How do I vote if I can’t travel to Oklahoma?

If you aren’t able to vote in person, you may cast your vote by mailing in an absentee ballot. All Tribal members who are eligible to vote are also eligible to vote by absentee ballot.

If you did not receive a postcard to receive your ballot, you can go to cpn.news/aballot to request one.

When you send your ballot request, it must be postmarked by no later than June 7.

Once you receive your ballot, follow the provided directions to cast your vote. Absentee ballots must be mailed in time for the election committee to receive them by 10 a.m., Saturday, June 27.

If you do not send your ballot in time or forget to mail it, you can bring it with you to in-person voting to cast your vote at Family Reunion Festival on election day.

What happens after voting?

Results of the election will be announced the same day as in-person voting, Saturday, June 27, at General Council, held in FireLake Arena. The election results will also be published online and in the July edition of the Hownikan.

The winning candidates will be sworn in at General Council and take office immediately.

To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of votes. If none of the candidates receives a majority, the two candidates with the highest number of votes will go to a run-off election, which will be held within 60 days of the June election.

Why does your vote matter?

In the last Tribal election, fewer than 10% of Tribal members voted.

Voting is a civic duty, but also how citizens make their voices heard.

What matters to you? Is it culture or language? Growth? Stability? Tribal sovereignty? By voting for the candidate or candidates you believe will best lead the Tribe, you play a part in shaping the future of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.