In a memo for Certification of Votes from the Southern Ute Election Board to the Southern Ute Tribal Council on November 4, 2019, The Election Board submits the following certification.
Pursuant to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Election Code, the official ballots containing names of eligible candidates seeking the office of two (2) Tribal Council Members in the General Election was submitted to the qualified voters of the Tribe on November 1, 2019.
CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS:
Total Number of Registered voters 984
Total number of ballots distributed 265
Total number of votes cast 476
Total number of ballots cast 260
Total number of ballots cast in person 236
Total number of absentee ballots distributed 29
Total number of absentee ballots cast 24
Total number of absentee ballots not returned 5
Total number of ballots spoiled/void 8
OFFICE OF TRIBAL COUNCIL – NO. OF VOTES:
John J. Washington 64
Adam Red 90
Marjorie D. Barry 78
Ramona Y. Eagle 91
James M. Olguin 91
Conrad Thompson 62
According to the Election Code, the two (2) Tribal Council Candidates receiving the majority of votes will be elected to Tribal Council. No candidate received the majority of votes (120).
Therefore, pursuant to Article 10, a Run-Off will be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each vacant position. Because there are two vacant positions, the Run-Off will be between the four (4) candidates that received the highest number of votes. These four (4) are Adam Red, Marjorie D. Barry, Ramona Y. Eagle and James M. Olguin.
Pursuant to the Tribal Election Code, a Run-Off Election must be held within forty-five (45) days and shall be conducted by the Election Board in the same manner as the General Election, except that no Statements of Intention need to filed. Therefore, the Run-Off Election must be held on or before December 16, 2019. The Election Board shall move forward with preparing for and holding the Run-Off Election. (The run-off election will be held Dec. 13, 2019).
It is the Election Board’s recommendation that Tribal Council accept the certification of the 2019 Southern Ute Tribe General Election.
Respectfully submitted,
Southern Ute Election Board
Natalie Richards, Chairman
Shondeena Richards, Vice-Chairman
Joyce Delaware Ford, Secretary
Angelo Valdez, Alternate Member
Michelle Chavez, Alternate Member