As the 2024 Osage Nation General Election year commences, the Wahzhazhe Elections office and board members reviewed and made edits to their election-related forms and policies before the candidacy filing period started.
The General Election will be on June 3, which is the first Monday of that month in accordance with the 2006 Osage Constitution. Six ON Congressional seats will open on Election Day with each spot carrying a four-year term on the 12-member Congress.
The filing period for Congressional candidates started Feb. 6 and ends at 4:30 p.m. on March 12 at the Election Office at 608 Kihekah Ave. in Pawhuska.
A long-standing Osage election tradition, Osage candidates seeking public office will spend Election Day in the government campus park at their campsites where they will greet and visit with fellow Osages voting that day. In preparation for this year’s election activities, the Election Board voted to update its policies and procedures with a new section on candidate campsites during their Jan. 30 meeting.
According to the new policy: “Candidates listed on the ballot for a scheduled election will be provided the opportunity for access to a candidate campsite in a fair and equitable manner.”
Election staff will conduct the drawing for campsite spots with names of those interested (who submitted forms) printed on folded pieces of paper placed in a rotating hopper. Staff will draw names from the hopper and the candidates will pick their campsites in the order of names drawn.
Election Supervisor Alexis Rencountre said her office will conduct this year’s drawing for campsite locations on March 28, which is the same day as a mandatory candidate workshop to cover forthcoming election information and mandates, including candidate campaign finance reports. In past election years, the campsite drawings were held separately from the workshop, but this year’s drawing will take place immediately following the workshop, which starts at 9 a.m. that day.
Campsite participation is optional, but those planning to host a camp to meet voters must complete a campsite request form and submit it by March 27. Those forms must also specify whether candidates plan to have an independent campsite for themselves or a combined campsite to share with one or more fellow candidates.
Before the drawing, the Election Office will provide a detailed map of available campsites for candidates to view and pick from. Candidates who are not able to attend the workshop and campsite drawing and wish to host a camp must still complete a request form and will be allowed to send a pre-determined representative to pick a campsite on the candidate’s behalf during the drawing, according to the policy.
All campsite locations will be in the campus park, which include the three standing arbors and the remaining uncovered campsites will measure 20’ x 20’. Candidates are permitted to bring and use tents at their campsites as long as they fit within the campsite measurements.
The policies list other rules for the day-use campsites and note that violations, including no clean-up of campsites following the election, may result in fines determined by the Election Board or forfeiture of the campsite location.
Anita Fields, an alternate Election Board member, asked who would be checking the campsites for compliance. Rencountre said election staff would walk through the park for campsite checks and ON Police Officers would be on patrol in the park that day. The Wahzhazhe Elections Office toll-free number is (877) 560-5286 and the email address is electionoffice@osagenation-nsn.gov for election-related inquiries.
