Sue Aasen, a candidate for the LCO Primary Election, made a request to the Election Committee for a recount of the Saturday, May 20, vote, pursuant to the tribal election code, 1.324, Recounts.
Although Aasen received only 78 votes, she is requesting a recount. Community members have cited the one vote difference between Chairman Mic Isham and challenger Randy Cadotte as a reason there should have been an automatic recount.
Isham took sixth place with his 132 votes, while Cadotte took seventh with 131. The top six in the primary election advance to the general election held on June 17.
The Election Ordinance, Section 1.324, states any candidate may request a ballot recount within three working days of the date of the election. Aasen’s request was made one working day after the election.
The Election Committee has three working days after the request to conduct the recount.
“Upon completion of the recount, the Election Committee, by majority vote, shall either affirm the original certification and declaration of election winners or modify such certification and declaration in accordance with the results of the recount,” the ordinance states.
The ordinance states that the Election Committee Chairperson shall convene the committee within those three days of the request, but Aasen has also requested that the chairperson, Cindy Miller, be prohibited from participating in the recount in any capacity.
Aasen lists two reasons why in her letter to the committee. She states that in the 2015 election, Miller knew of a discrepancy in the New Post ballots and Miller only confided with the security officer rather than alerting the entire Election Committee.
“The Election Committee was not given the opportunity to know about the discrepancy and decide upon a recount of the New Post ballots. I reported this irregularity to councilwoman Norma Ross. I was never contacted about a follow-up or an inquiry,” Aasen wrote.
Aasen also cited that in the current election, the ballot order was changed by Cindy Miller, who put Chairman Mic Isham at the top of the ballot, and Norma Ross at number two. Both are incumbents up for re-election.
“Cindy Miller violated the rights of all candidates wherein their names were switched around,” Aasen wrote. “This action violates the mandate of the Election Ordinance, Section 1.304, Caucus, Subsection 2 (e) wherein names are placed in a “hat” and drawn out for numerical order on the ballot.”
Aasen further stated that she has a conflict with Cindy Miller as being in charge of directing the recount.
“There are alternate members of the Election Committee that can be seated for this important function. My concern is shared by other candidates whose names were switched around by Cindy Miller and consequently their rights were violated.”
Last Update: May 22, 2017 7:00 pm CDT
