On Tuesday, Feb. 14 the Southern Ute Election Board presented a petition for referendum to the Southern Ute Tribal Council. The Election Board received the petition, organized by a group of tribal members, on Monday, Feb. 13. The Petition requests that the “remaining of the Sisseton Settlement Funds … be 100% dispersed tax-free immediately to the enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe” and that “the remaining of the Sisseton Settlement Funds … retained in a restricted account will not be utilized or dispersed on any specific programs in both the Permanent and Growth Fund.”

The Election Board reviewed the petition for referendum verifying and certifying it as a valid petition. The petitioners needed to garner signatures from 20 percent (185) of registered tribal voters. The Election Board confirmed that the petition contained a total of 218 valid signatures, surpassing the 185 needed for a petition for referendum.

Tribal Council received the petition on Tuesday, setting a date for an election on the referendum to take place on Thursday, March 16 – within the 30-day time frame in accordance with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Constitution.

Upon receiving the petition for referendum, Tribal Council has from the date of acceptance until the election date to review the petition for constitutional validity.

If the petition is found to be invalid, the election will not take place.

SOUTHERN UTE INDIAN TRIBE

2017 SPECIAL ELECTION “REFERENDUM”

The Tribal Council and Election Board has determined these are the dates for the upcoming 2017 Special Election “Referendum” according to the Constitution and Election Code.

Special Election – Thursday, March 16, 2017 – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voter Registration Deadline – Tuesday, March 7, 2017 by 5 p.m.

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline – Tuesday, March 7, 2017, by 5 p.m.

Emergency Absentee Ballot Deadline – Wednesday, March 15, 2017, by 5 p.m.

Contact the Election Board at 970-563-0100 ext. 2303 or 2305

Off-Reservation Tribal members phone 1-800-772-1236 ext. 2303

Email: election@southernute-nsn.gov

THE 2017 SPECIAL ELECTION “REFERENDUM” WILL BE HELD AT SUN UTE COMMUNITY CENTER