Election Commission offers in-person voting option

Registered voters in the Cherokee Nation who want to vote by mail absentee ballot in the Cherokee Nation tribal election have missed the application deadline, the Cherokee Nation Election Commission said in a statement Monday.

"They aren’t out of luck, however," CNEC said.

Voters who want to cast absentee ballots still can do so at the CNEC office beginning Saturday, June 20, 2015, and on June 23 thru 25, 2015. A two-member Absentee Voting Board team will be on duty each day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to assist voters.

"In-person absentee voters fill out an application form when they get to the office.  They are not required to give a reason for voting absentee," CNEC said.  "They are required to swear that they have not voted a regular mail absentee ballot and that they will not vote at their polling places on Election Day."

According to CNEC, the staff verifies a voter’s registration information and then directs the voter to the in-person absentee board which issues the ballot to the voter. The voter marks their ballot in a voting booth and then puts their ballot in the voting device.  "It is very much like voting at a precinct polling place," said CNEC.

The CNEC also provides a drop off box for those who want to deliver their absentee ballot to the CNEC Office; the drop box is available on June 23 through June 27, 2015, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The Cherokee Nation Election Commission office hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. The office is located 22116 S. Bald Hill Road, Tahlequah, OK 74464. The mailing address is PO Box 1188, Tahlequah, OK 74465. You can reach us by phone at 918.458.5899 or toll free at 800.353.2895, by fax at 918.458.6101, or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..