Members of Picayune Rancheria to vote in disputed election

Thursday, March 8, 2012  

Members of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California head to the polls on Saturday.

The tribe held an election in December in which Morris Reid, Dora Jones, Dixie Jackson and Harold Hammond won seats on the council. Reggie Lewis, the incumbent chairman, and Chance Alberta, the incumbent treasurer, were ousted.

However, Lewis and Alberta have yet to leave office. Along with the sitting council, they invalidated Hammond's victory and they scheduled an election on Saturday to fill the seat.

Reid and his supporters contend Hammond's disqualification was illegal. As a result, they say the election on Saturday will be invalid.

Lewis and Alberta have filed appeals to the December election. They apparently intend to stay in office until the dispute is resolved.

Get the Story:
Contested Chukchansi tribal election Saturday (The Sierra Star 3/8)

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