By A-P
Tahlequah, OK –
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) The Cherokee Nation Election Commission has completed another day of counting votes in the special election for principal chief.
Commission officials estimated Monday night they are more than halfway through the verification process for absentee ballots. The commission said it would resume the process Tuesday morning.
Officials have said challenger Bill John Baker ended the first segment of vote counting in the election with a solid lead over former Chief Chad Smith. Baker led 61 percent to 39 percent after Sunday's count of votes cast in person at Cherokee precincts.
The commission has said absentee ballots make up about half the votes.