July 26, 2008 –
MAYETTA: The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Tribal Council and Ethics Commission Election was held today at the Bingo Hall and due to new changes in the election process there were only five clear winners out of nineteen candidates with all the winners running unopposed. Now, six of the remaining fourteen will square off in a run-off election to be held in four weeks.
Over 900 ballots were counted and those declared winners were Ryan Dyer, Treasurer, Shirley K. Trull, Ethics Commission Chair Person, Trilby Wahwasuck, Ethics Commission Vice-Chair Person, Virginia LeClere, Ethics Commission Secretary, and Frank Tecumseh, Ethics Commissioner #1. Because they all ran unopposed they all received 100% of the votes cast but all the other candidates received below the 50% plus one now needed to win the election.
This is the first election since new Constitutional Amendments were approved by members last November where candidates must win by a majority vote plus one. The two candidates who received the highest number of votes will now face each other in another mail-in ballot election.
Candidates for the run-off election are as follows: Vice-Chair Person- Joyce Guerrero (30.40%) and Jackie Mitchell (49.51%); Tribal Council Person #2- Chago Hale (35.23%) and Peggy Nioce Houston (28.99%), and Tribal Council Person #3-Vernon Mzhickteno (15.70%) and Carrie O’Toole (18.97%).
The unofficial election results are as follows and will become official if no voter files a protest within three (3) business days of today’s election. A date for the run-off election has not been announced.
Vice-Chairperson Total Percent
Joyce Guerrero 280 30.40%
Jackie Mitchell 456 49.51%
Mamie Wahwassuck Rupnicki 185 20.09%
Treasurer Total Percent
Ryan Dyer 694 100.00%
Tribal Council Person #2 Total Percent
Rencie Eteeyan 99 11.04%
Chago Hale 316 35.23%
Peggy A. Nioce Houston 260 28.99%
Francis T. Shopteese, Jr. 222 24.75%
Tribal Council Person #3 Total Percent
Ann DeCoteau 130 14.18%
Dale Delg 124 13.52%
Vernon L. Mzhickteno 144 15.70%
Carrie O’Toole 174 18.97%
Jona Rupnicki 101 11.01%
James Wabaunsee (Nabby) 134 14.61%
Josette Wahwasuck 110 12.00%
Ethics Commission Chairperson Total Percent
Shirley K. Trull 679 100.00%
Ethics Commission V.Chairperson Total Percent
Trilby Wahwasuck 554 100.00%
Ethics Commission Secretary Total Percent
Virginia LeClere 740 100.00%
Ethics Commission Comm. #1 Total Percent
Frank Tecumseh 689 100.00%
Those assisting with the election were Tim Sanchez of Automated Election Service, Albuquerque, Marty Hamlin who served as the Election Judge, and Leslie Marshno, Paula Hopkins, Joe Mendez, and Linda Yazzie who were clerks. PBPN Police Officer Steve Cook acted as the Official Observer and Voncile Mitchell and June Barber represented the Election Board.