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Cherokee Update

By AP

Tahlequah, OK – Cherokee Nation election results in dispute

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Supreme Court on Tuesday night will try to sort out a controversial election involving the state's largest Indian tribe.

In the election held three weeks ago, the incumbent and his challenger have each been declared the winner twice.

The results of the June 25 election remain in doubt for the Tahlequah-based Cherokee Nation as an Au g. 14 date for the inauguration of a new president approaches.

The court hearing comes after a third count of ballots cast in the June election over the weekend, in which unofficial results showed that Principal Chief Chad Smith had won by a razor-thin margin of five votes over his challenger, councilman Bill John Baker.

Later Tuesday, the justices could certify the weekend's election results, hear more evidence from attorneys representing each campaign or order a new election.