By AP
Tahlequah, OK – Cherokee election observer approves result
(Information in the following story is from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com)
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) An observer from the Carter Center in Atlanta has given his approval of the way the election for Cherokee Nation principal chief was conducted.
The Tulsa World reports that the center has released a report that says the center has confidence in the way the vote counting took place. The Cherokee Nation certified the result on Wednesday.
Challenger Bill John Baker had 10,703 votes to former Chief Chad Smith's 9,128 votes.
The center did list a few criticisms in its report.
The center says the tribe should establish eligibility criteria for challenge ballots. Those ballots are from voters who either were not on a precinct's voter list or requested but didn't receive an absentee ballot.
The center also says the Cherokees need clear guidelines for accepting or rejecting a ballot.