Bill John Baker

Cherokee Nation SCT Rejects Chad Smith Challenge to Election; Does Not Count Freedmen Vote

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the order:

Election Decision for Cherokees

News coverage here.

A list of key documents from the Tulsa World here:

View Principal Chief Chad Smith’s final campaign disclosure report.

View Bill John Baker’s final campaign disclosure report.

Read the final order invalidating the election.

View an order from the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court.

View Principal Chief Chad Smith’s June 15 campaign financial disclosure report.

View Bill John Baker’s June 15 campaign financial disclosure report.

Read Principal Chief Chad Smith’s appeal.

Read Cherokee Election Commission chairman Roger Johnson’s resignation statement.

Read Cherokee Election Commission chairman Roger Johnson’s resignation letter.

 

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Elects a New Principal Chief by 11 Votes

Kate Fort1 Comment

From the Washington Post coverage:

OKLAHOMA CITY — In a close election that ran overnight, the Cherokee Nation elected a new principal chief Sunday, with final results posted on the tribe’s website showing longtime councilman Bill John Baker defeating three-term incumbent Chad Smith by 11 votes.

More than 15,000 votes were cast, and the margin between the men had been fewer than 30 since late Saturday.