Referendum Question to be Considered for the Vote

Amendment 1: Delete the current Article VI, Section 1 – Vacancies, and replace it with new language as shown in the Constitutional Amendment Detail. The current law allows the President to appoint a replacement Council Member. The new law provides a detailed temporary succession plan and requires a vote of the people to fill a vacancy.

Current Article VI, Section 1: Vacancies – In the event of Presidential vacancy, the Vice-President shall immediately succeed to the office of the President. All other vacancies shall be filled by the President giving priority to the pool of candidates from the previous election, subject to the approval of the Pawnee Business Council, provided that such appointment shall be effective unless formally disapproved by the Pawnee Business Council within thirty (30) days after the appointment.

Replacement:
Section 1 In the event of Presidential vacancy the Vice President shall temporarily vacate their office and fulfill the duties of the office of President until another president is elected by a majority of Pawnee tribal voters in a specially called election. The Business Council shall elect from the current council membership a Temporary Vice President to serve until the next President is elected by a majority of Pawnee tribal voters in a specially called election, at which time the Temporary Vice President shall return to his/her previous position.

Section 2 If the office of President and Vice President are vacant the Treasurer shall temporarily vacate their office and fulfill the duties of President and the secretary shall temporarily vacate their office and fulfill the duties of Vice President. The Business Council shall elect from the current council membership a Temporary Treasurer and a Temporary Secretary until the next President and Vice President are elected by a majority of Pawnee tribal voters in a specially called election, at which time the Temporary Treasurer and Temporary Secretary shall return to their previous position.

Section 3 If the offices of President, Vice President and Treasurer are vacant the Secretary shall temporarily vacate their office and fulfill the duties of the President. The Business council shall elect from the current council membership a Temporary Vice President, Temporary Treasurer and Temporary Secretary until the next President, Vice President, and Treasurer are elected by a majority of Pawnee tribal voters in a specially called election, at which time the Temporary Vice President, Temporary Treasurer and Temporary Secretary shall return to their previous position.

Section 4 Notwithstanding Article 4 Section 5, if four or more positions are vacant a quorum shall consist of the remaining members. If all officer positions are vacant any remaining council members may call a special Business Council meeting, at which that council member shall chair and the council shall elect officers.

Section 5 If a vacancy occurs in a First, Second, Third, or Fourth Business council member position before the last six months of a term it shall be filled by a majority of Pawnee member voters in a specially called election.

Section 6 If a vacancy occurs if a First, Second, Third, or Fourth Business Council member position in the latter six months of that term, that position shall remain vacant until the next general election.

Section 7 If a vacancy occurs in any Business Council position in the six months prior to a general election, the specially called election shall be held with the general election.

Section 8 Any successful candidate who is elected in a special election shall serve on the remaining term of that vacant position.

Section 9 Unless paragraph G applies, the election Board shall set and conduct a special election within 60 days but not before 30 days after a position is vacant.

Section 10 A position is vacant when:

• Subject to an effective date, a resignation is received in writing by the Office of the President
• Vacant pursuant to Article VII Section One
• Death
• Recall
• Removal
• A suspension is imposed under Section 3, in which case a specially called election is not required if the Business Council finds that suspension is likely to be resolved within six months. If the Business Council finds that the suspension is likely to be longer than six months, they may call a special election. If the suspension is removed, the person elected in the special election shall step down and the suspended Business Council Member shall retake their position.

Reminder: You will be given an option to vote either yes or no to all five (5) Constitutional Amendments or you may vote on each amendment individually.
Absentee ballots will only be accepted if received by noon on June14, 2008, the day of the election.
You must contact the enrollment office at 918-762-3621 to ensure that they have correct contact information and date of birth to make the voting process easier for everyone.

Please continue to check this website to receive any important updates on the referendum.

The Governing Documents Committee members consist of:
Duane Pratt, Marshall Gover, Elizabeth Blackowl, William Howell, Pat Leadingfox.

The Governing Documents Committee worked/consulted with the Pawnee Nation Attorney General-John Parris and ANA-SEDS staff– Amy Watters, Taurean Taylor, Olivia Gray.