None of the 11 candidates vying for a seat on Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council secured the majority vote in the general election Friday, Nov. 7. Therefore, the top two candidates for chairman, and the top four candidates for the open council seats will compete in a special runoff election Friday, Dec. 12.

According to voting results certified by Tribal Council on Wednesday, Nov. 12 Clement J. Frost and Joycelyn Peabody Dutchie will participate in a runoff election for Tribal Chairman. Frost received 48.4 percent of the votes, and Dutchie tallied 26.4 percent of the votes. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the Dec. 12 election will become the next chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

Bernie Cuthair who was also seeking chairmanship received 25.2 percent of the votes and will not move forward to the runoff election.

The top four council candidates advancing to the runoff are: Aaron V. Torres with 28.3 percent, Amy J. Barry with 33.4 percent, Janelle F. Doughty with 24.4 percent, and Tyson Thompson with 33 percent.

Those council candidates not proceeding to the runoff: Pathimi M. GoodTracks with 22.8 percent, Renee J. Cloud with 11.4 percent, David Latham with 24 percent, and Andrew C. Frost with 22.4 percent.

There are 911 registered Southern Ute voters. A total of 520 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 57.1 percent.

The last day to register to vote and request an absentee ballot for the Dec. 12 election is Tuesday, Dec. 2.