Unofficial Results Show Baker Leading in Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Race

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

Bill John Baker-Leading

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - With approximately 150 challenged ballots to review, the unofficial result of the special election for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation show Bill John Baker as the new leader with 54 percent of the votes.

Baker is running against Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith, who served as Principal Chief from 1999 to August 14, 2011.

The special election was held because the June 25 election voting was very close. During various stages of the ballot counting both men were declared winners. The Cherokee Nation's Supreme Court called for a special election because the June 25 could not be determined mathematically with certainty.

The Cherokee Nation, based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the second largest tribe in America, after the Navajo Nation.

The unofficial result shows Baker receiving 10,633 votes to Smith's 9,099 votes. These unofficial results were released Tuesday by the Election Commission. The unofficial result includes all votes cast, except for the challenged ballots.

The Commission has 48-hours after they have completed the vote count to certify the election. The results are unofficial until the election results are certified.

posted October 12, 2011 7:00 am edt