Petition to Amend Voting Eligibility and Ensure Transparent Election Practices for OTNC

Purpose

We, the undersigned members of the Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council, submit this petition to ensure that all tribal citizens, regardless of residence, are granted the equal right to vote in accordance with the principles outlined in the Constitution. Additionally, we call for the implementation of transparent election practices to maintain fairness and integrity in the voting process.

Background

The current OTNC Constitution guarantees that all tribal members shall have an equal right to share in the resources of the tribe. However, voting eligibility is currently limited to residents of Bethel, excluding thousands of tribal citizens who reside outside of Bethel. This exclusion undermines the principles of fairness, equality, and representation and denies a significant portion of the membership their fundamental right to participate in tribal governance.

Moreover, to ensure confidence and fairness in the election process, it is essential to have an independent third party oversee the counting of ballots. This third party must not have any affiliation with the tribe or the Tribal Council to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

Proposed Amendment

We call for the amendment of Article VII – Elections, Section 1: Voting Eligibility to read as follows:

All members aged 18 or older are eligible to vote, regardless of residence.
Additionally, we affirm the following sections to remain intact to ensure ethical and transparent elections:

Section 2. Secret Ballots: All elections and votes shall be conducted by secret ballot to ensure confidentiality.

Section 3. Election Quorum: A minimum of 25% voter participation is required for all elections and referendums to maintain ethical standards.
 

Transparency in Ballot Counting

We further request that an independent third party, unaffiliated with the tribe or Tribal Council, be appointed to oversee and count the ballots in all tribal elections. This measure will guarantee impartiality and uphold the integrity of the election process.

Call to Action

We urge the Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council to adopt these amendments to reflect the values of inclusivity, equity, and respect for all tribal citizens. By allowing all members over the age of 18, regardless of their location, to vote and ensuring independent oversight of ballot counting, we strengthen our governance and honor the constitutional commitment to equality and fairness for all members.

By signing this petition, you affirm your support for these amendments and call upon the OTNC to take immediate action to implement these changes. Together, we advocate for a more inclusive, fair, and transparent governance system for the Orutsararmiut Native Tribe.