Sixteen members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation as well as Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr, are urging Cherokee voters to vote no at the June 15 special election on a possible constitutional convention.
Chief Hoskin said he was following an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” philosophy in voting no on June 15.
“Why open up for massive changes a constitution that has led to unprecedented progress for the Cherokee people and includes vital protections for our democracy, our employees and our civil liberties?” said Chief Hoskin. “The Cherokee people have existing options to make specific changes without risking disruption to our entire system. These are among the reasons not a single Cherokee Nation elected or appointed official is advocating for a yes vote.”
Speaker Mike Shambaugh explained that he opposes a constitutional convention because it is “unnecessary and there are other less risky and less expensive ways for to amend the constitution should they see fit.”
“Our government is working. We are balanced, transparent and we get things done,” said Shambaugh. “It makes no sense to me to throw open the entire constitution for possible mass changes when none are needed.”
If approved by voters, a convention of delegates appointed by the tribe’s three branches of government would convene later this year with the authority to make massive changes to the tribe’s constitution and send the new draft constitution to voters for an up or down vote.
“There is considerable expense and, more importantly risk, involved in a constitutional convention,” said Deputy Speaker Victoria Vazquez. “At a time when the government and our businesses are operating at a high level, we could disrupt it all by possibly throwing our entire constitution out the window.”
The 16 council members urging a no vote include Speaker Mike Shambaugh (Dist. 9), Deputy Speaker Victoria Vazquez (Dist. 11), Council Secretary Dora Smith Patzkowski (Dist. 12), Councilors Daryl Legg (Dist. 6), E.O. “Junior” Smith (Dist. 5), Kevin Easley Jr. (Dist. 14), Melina Shotpouch (Dist. 10), Joe Deere (Dist. 13), Danny Callison (Dist. 15), Mike Dobbins (Dist. 4), Candessa Tehee (Dist. 2), Sasha Blackfox-Qualls (Dist. 1), Codey Poindexter (Dist. 8), Lisa Hall (Dist. 3), Julia Coates (atlarge) and Joshua Sam (Dist. 7).
Chief Hoskin and the council members opposing the convention said the respected those who disagree with him, but felt an obligation to share their views with Cherokee citizens.
“This election is perhaps the most important in a generation,” said Chief Hoskin. “The Cherokee people deserve to know why we will be voting no on June 15, but I also want them to know we respect opposing views and will respect the results of the election, of course.”
In addition, four delegates to the 1999 constitutional convention recently announced their opposition to another convention.
The Council and the Chief are legally required to work together to place the measure on the ballot every two decades, regardless of whether any changes are sought by any citizen.
The current Constitution provides for amendments to be made at any time by a vote of the Cherokee people through citizen-led petitions or through Council approved ballot questions.
In February and March the Council discussed, debated and approved the constitutional convention ballot question and a statute to guide a possible convention. The tribe announced the June 15 special election on March 12.
According to a memorandum dated May 6, by Cherokee Nation’s Secretary of State Bowlin, the total cost of the special election, convention and a ratification election will be $1,014,531, of which $814,531 is estimated for the convention and ratification election if voters approve it on June 15.
Info on polling locations, early voting dates and other information is available at Cherokee. org or by contacting the election commission at 918-458-5899 or election-commission@ cherokee. org.
