Cherokee Nation election chairman resigns amid dispute on vote

Wednesday, July 6, 2011  

The chairman of the Cherokee Nation election commission resigned on Tuesday amid growing controversy over the Oklahoma tribe's principal chief election.

Roger Johnson said his reputation has been sullied in the media. "For me to continue as an effective commissioner under these circumstances is impossible," his resignation letter stated, The Tahlequah Daily Press reported.

The development came as incumbent Chad Smith asked the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court to take another look at the results from the chief's race. He said the tribe should hold a new election if the tally doesn't stand.

"We hope the court will sort it out, and then we’ll know once and for all who is chief. Right now, our election is in flux," Smith said at a press conference, The Tahlequah Daily Press reported.

But Bill John Baker asked Smith to drop his appeal and step aside. The "certified" results said Baker won the election by 266 votes.

The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court is due to hear the case on Friday.

“Chad Smith can continue to sue his way around losing the election in what is frankly a desperate attempt to cling to power," Baker said, the Associated Press reported.

Get the Story:
CN election chairman resigns (The Tahlequah Daily Press 7/6)
Smith appeals – Chief says vote may be so flawed a new election will be necessary (The Muskogee Phoenix 7/6)
Chad Smith petitions Cherokee court for new election (The Tulsa World 7/6)
Smith campaign worker alleges disorganization in recount (The Tulsa World 7/6)
Winner: Chief Should Let It Go (AP 7/6)

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Bill John Baker 'certified' as winner of Cherokee Nation chief race (7/1)
Cherokee Nation expected to start recount for close chief's race (6/30)
Cherokee Nation candidate seeks answers about election tally (6/29)
Cherokee Nation says Chad Smith wins chief's post by 7 votes (6/28)
Cherokee Nation elects new leader by slim margin of 11 votes (6/27)
Candidates for leader of Cherokee Nation raise nearly $417K (6/24)
Cherokee Nation headed to polls on Saturday to choose chief (6/21)
Pat Ragsdale: Chad Smith is right choice for Cherokee chief (6/15)
Cherokee Nation releases plane logs but costs not reported (6/15)
Candidates for chief of Cherokee Nation debate the issues (6/7)
Opinion: Re-elect Chad Smith as leader of Cherokee Nation (6/1)
Cherokee Nation urges members to vote in tribal election (4/25)
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Cherokee Nation set for election for principal chief, deputy chief (3/15)