On March 24, 2020 the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) Tribal Executive Committee (TEC) held a special meeting via conference call to discuss the March 31 primary elections. By a vote of 7-4 the TEC approved an amendment to the Election Ordinance postponing the 2020 elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new election dates will be: Primary Election- June 9th, 2020 and General Election- August 18, 2020
As stated in the Tribal Executive Committee Resolution absentee ballots cast prior to the enactment of this amendment or ballots case between the date of enactment of this amendment and the primary election shall be counted in the primary election on June 9th, 2020.
The Election Boards should not send out anymore absentee ballots with the March 31st, 2020 primary date. They shall hold the request until the new ballots are printed with the correct primary date of June 9th, 2020. This will help eliminate the confusion of voters getting a ballot with the March 31st, 2020 primary date after March 31st, 2020.
The Reservation Election Board shall take reasonable steps to ensure that all election material including but not limited to absentee ballots at all times are kept in a secure location.
Election Boards members with questions are encouraged to call Gary Frazer, at (218)-766-0713.