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The Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe rescheduled its general election due to errors in the election process on Friday. The election that was scheduled for Sept. 23 will be held on Dec. 16.
After a council meeting and two special meetings, the Fallon Business Council voted to reschedule the election for a 90-day period with the election process starting over from the beginning.
The discovery of an incorrectly colored return envelope sent out with the absentee ballots was the first of several errors discovered within a week's time.
The election problems were initially announced at a meeting held by the council on Sept. 7 and continued to Sept. 12.
Upon discovery of the two problems, the council called for a special meeting on Sept. 7 after which two of the three election committee members resigned from the committee.
The tribal council met with the public to discuss the options for the election and a resolution developed by legal counsel during a regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 12.
During that meeting, numerous tribal members said they wanted the election to continue and an equal number said they wanted the election to be rescheduled. Seven of the 10 members running for office said they would like to see a new election.
After two motions brought to the floor and votes remaining divided, the motion died and the election remained in effect until the council reconvened on Friday.
The new election committee met on the issues and brought forward new findings that could further damage the election process, said Alvin Moyle, chairman of the Fallon Business Council.
"During the interim period with a nearly non-existent election committee, the issues of accountability of absentee ballots were brought forward," said Moyle.
According to title 14 of the election ordinance, "the secretary and the election committee chairman or their designee must be present at the tribe's daily mail delivery to receive incoming ballots."
The issue was significant enough that ballots would be discarded and those votes would not be counted during the election, according to the statement from the business council.
"I couldn't in good conscience continue with an election that is not fair and honest," said Moyle.
There were comments from several tribal members stating the election was tainted during the meeting on Sept. 12.
"They'll find every little niche to delay the election because they know they're on their way out," said tribal member Lenora Rogers.
Based on the facts presented, the time constraint and immediate election committee issues, Rogers conceded it would be in the best interest of the people to reschedule the election.
Several members of the council said it was necessary to further discuss the issues and the new findings of the election committee with the possible action to postpone the election.
"A timely election is a concern as well and must be consideration for those not in the immediate area," said Moyle. "We must maintain their rights to vote and have a fair and honest election."
Len George, another council member, said his vote was based on comments from tribal members repeatedly saying they wanted a fair and honest election.
"It's better to stop now and reschedule the election when we know that it will be challenged and will have to be re-done anyway," said George. "All tribal members, including those away, are afforded the right to vote and should not be penalized for mistakes that occurred outside of their control."
The fact that one vote counts has been stated in political campaigns across the country for many years, said Rochanne Downs, tribal council member.
"I don't feel morally right continuing with a faulty election process," said Downs. "I took an oath and I would be dishonest if we went forward with an unethical election."
Viktoria Pearson can be contacted at vpearson@lahontanvalleynews.com
After a council meeting and two special meetings, the Fallon Business Council voted to reschedule the election for a 90-day period with the election process starting over from the beginning.
The discovery of an incorrectly colored return envelope sent out with the absentee ballots was the first of several errors discovered within a week's time.
The election problems were initially announced at a meeting held by the council on Sept. 7 and continued to Sept. 12.
Upon discovery of the two problems, the council called for a special meeting on Sept. 7 after which two of the three election committee members resigned from the committee.
The tribal council met with the public to discuss the options for the election and a resolution developed by legal counsel during a regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 12.
During that meeting, numerous tribal members said they wanted the election to continue and an equal number said they wanted the election to be rescheduled. Seven of the 10 members running for office said they would like to see a new election.
After two motions brought to the floor and votes remaining divided, the motion died and the election remained in effect until the council reconvened on Friday.
The new election committee met on the issues and brought forward new findings that could further damage the election process, said Alvin Moyle, chairman of the Fallon Business Council.
"During the interim period with a nearly non-existent election committee, the issues of accountability of absentee ballots were brought forward," said Moyle.
According to title 14 of the election ordinance, "the secretary and the election committee chairman or their designee must be present at the tribe's daily mail delivery to receive incoming ballots."
The issue was significant enough that ballots would be discarded and those votes would not be counted during the election, according to the statement from the business council.
"I couldn't in good conscience continue with an election that is not fair and honest," said Moyle.
There were comments from several tribal members stating the election was tainted during the meeting on Sept. 12.
"They'll find every little niche to delay the election because they know they're on their way out," said tribal member Lenora Rogers.
Based on the facts presented, the time constraint and immediate election committee issues, Rogers conceded it would be in the best interest of the people to reschedule the election.
Several members of the council said it was necessary to further discuss the issues and the new findings of the election committee with the possible action to postpone the election.
"A timely election is a concern as well and must be consideration for those not in the immediate area," said Moyle. "We must maintain their rights to vote and have a fair and honest election."
Len George, another council member, said his vote was based on comments from tribal members repeatedly saying they wanted a fair and honest election.
"It's better to stop now and reschedule the election when we know that it will be challenged and will have to be re-done anyway," said George. "All tribal members, including those away, are afforded the right to vote and should not be penalized for mistakes that occurred outside of their control."
The fact that one vote counts has been stated in political campaigns across the country for many years, said Rochanne Downs, tribal council member.
"I don't feel morally right continuing with a faulty election process," said Downs. "I took an oath and I would be dishonest if we went forward with an unethical election."
Viktoria Pearson can be contacted at vpearson@lahontanvalleynews.com
