Osages interested in running for Osage Nation Congress may file for candidacy starting Feb. 6 with the Election Office in Pawhuska.
The filing period for Congressional candidates ends March 12 at the close of business day, according to the ON Election Office. During the filing period, the Nation’s government operations will be closed Feb. 19 for President’s Day.
Six seats on the 12-member Congress will be open in the June 4 General Election. Voting will be held that day at the ON Museum and there will be two days of early voting June 1-2 at the ON Election Office located at 608 Kihekah.
According to the Osage Constitution: “Enrolled members of the Osage Nation, who are at least 25 years of age on the date of the election, who have never been convicted of a felony, are eligible to serve as members of the Osage Nation Congress.”
The Constitution also states: “No member of the Osage Nation Congress shall hold any other tribal office or position of profit under the Osage Nation during the term for which the member is elected or appointed. No member of the Osage Nation Congress shall hold any other tribal office under another Indian nation during his/ her term of office.”
All candidates will also be provided copies of election-related forms, a timeline of important dates, events and deadlines and copies of the Nation’s election code and election rules and regulations.
The filing fee to run for ON elected office is due when filing in-person, which is $300 for Congressional candidates and can be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order. Candidates will also be required to provide proof of establishing a separate bank account in the name of the candidate or candidate’s campaign upon filing. All candidates will be required to provide two financial reports documenting all campaign expenditures and donations, including the candidate’s personal funds used for campaign purposes, according to the election rules and regulations.
The ON Election Office website also contains other forms and information on the 2018 election including address update forms, absentee ballot request forms and information on the privacy program regarding voter information listed on the voter registry list. The website is at: www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/elections
By
Benny Polacca
Original Publish Date: 2018-01-19 00:00:00
