Candidates File for Red Lake Tribal Election

Forty-two candidates have filed for three officer positions and five district representative seats on the Red Lake Tribal Council. The deadline for filing was Saturday, March 17, 2018, at 4 p.m.

After passing a criminal background check, the candidates will be certified sometime in mid-April. Then, according to Executive Assistant, Tribal Secretary's Office, Audrey Jourdain, the election will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

If a candidate receives 50% of the vote plus one in the general election on May 16, they are the declared winner. If no one attains this threshold in any or all seats, a run-off election will be scheduled sixty days after the conclusion of all certifications, challenges or recounts...probably mid to late July.

The Red Lake Tribal Council at their February monthly meeting set the dates for the 2018 tribal election. All three officers and one representative from each of four districts will be elected or reelected to four-year terms. Two representatives from each community on the reservation, Little Rock, Red Lake, Redby and Ponemah, and three officers, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, make up the eleven member tribal council.

Do to the recent passing of Little Rock Representative Richard Barrett; his seat will also be included in the election for a candidate to finish his two-year term.

Filing for Red Lake Tribal Chairman were incumbent Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Vince Brown, Williamette Hardy-Morrison, Floyd "Buck" Jourdain, and Jim White

With no Incumbent do to the passing of Don Cook Sr., last May, those filing for election as Tribal Secretary include, Michael Barrett, Thomas J. Cain, Jr., Donovan "Mikinaakoons" Sather, Sam Strong, Darwin J. Sumner, and Tim Sumner. (Darwin Sumner, also a Hereditary Chief, was appointed to fill the Secretary slot until this election)

Candidates filing for Treasurer are incumbent Annette Johnson, LaNae Pemberton, Chad Prentice, and Cheryl Marie Thomas.

Incumbent, Gary L. Nelson, Sr., has filed for reelection as Ponemah District Representative, along with challenger Chele D. Kalstabakken.

For Red Lake Representative, incumbent Roman "Ducker" Stately has decided not to run for reelection after 30 years. Filing for the position include, Dean J. Branchaud, David F. Desjarlait, Donald L. Good, Sr., Karen L. Graves, Michael A. Iceman, Lee Lussier, Jr., Clem H. May, Sr., Jordan May, Paul Smokey Smith, and Julie Stately.

For the Redby District Representative, incumbent Julius "Toady" Thunder has filed for reelection, he is being challenged by Sheldon "Skin" Brown, John Wayne Dudley, Maureen Thunder Lyons, Lester (Moe) Loud, and Thomas Westbrook.

Filing for the four-year term of Little Rock Representative is incumbent Robert "Charlie" Reynolds, Adrian Beaulieu, and Ron Lussier.

For the Little Rock two-year term are, Thomas Barrett, Jr., Marlon Blue, Michelle (Barrett) Cobenais, Katherine "Kathy Spears" Dudley, William (Billy) Greene, and George Chi-Noodin Spears, Jr.

2018 Election Timeline

• Friday, March 2, 2018 – First day to file for candidacy

• Saturday, March 17, 2018, 4 pm, - Last day to file for candidacy. Preliminary candidates list is posted. Preliminary eligible voters list is posted

• Wednesday, April 11, 2018 - Deadline for voter change of residency. Deadline for withdrawal of candidacy. Final eligible voters list is posted

• Monday, April 16, 2018 - Deadline for district election boards to be appointed. Deadline for posting of the certified candidates list

• Saturday, April 21, 2018 – Absentee balloting begins

• Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – Deadline for ballot counting watchers

• Friday, May 11, 2018 – Deadline for Election Day Poll Observers

• Monday, May 14, 2018 – Absentee Ballot committee in Minneapolis, MN

• Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – ELECTION DAY, Polls open 8:00 am – 8:00 p.m.; Absentee ballots are due by 8:00 pm.

• Thursday, May 17, 2018 – Posting of the certified election results

• Tuesday, May 22, 2018 – Deadline for contesting the election

• Friday, June 1, 2018 – Deadline for the General Election to rule on requests for election contests (if any)

• Monday, July 16, 2018 – If the election is uncontested, the run-off election must be held before this date

• Thursday, July 26, 2018 – If the election was contested, the run-off election must be held before this date