ROSEBUD, SD – The Rosebud Sioux Tribe has announced plans to elect a new Tribal Secretary and a Tribal Treasurer. A Primary Election will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2013 in the twenty communities. The top two vote getters for each position will advance to the General Election on Thursday, August 22, 2013.
Prior to 2009, these two officer positions were filled by tribal council appointments. An amendment to the Tribal Constitution now requires both the Tribal Secretary and Tribal Treasurer to be elected at-large by tribal voters. Linda Marshall (Tribal Secretary) and Wayne Boyd (Tribal Treasurer) were the first tribal members elected to these positions in 2009. Both were subsequently re-elected in 2011.
However, incumbents Marshall and Boyd are not eligible for re-election this year due to term limits as outlined in Article III of the Tribal Constitution, which states in part: “The offices of the President, Vice President, Council Representatives, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be subject to limits of two consecutive terms.” Both officers are nearing the end of their second consecutive term in office.
Qualified tribal members can file nominating affidavits beginning on May 1 through May 30, 2013. Forms may be obtained from the Tribal Secretary’s office. Prospective candidates are required to pay a $300 filing fee to the Tribal Treasurer’s office prior to filing an affidavit.
Enrolled tribal members who wish to have their name placed on the ballot must have established residency on the reservation for at least one year prior to the date of the Primary Election and be of at least one quarter of Rosebud Sioux blood as listed on their abstract. Each candidate must also pass a background check before their name will be placed on the ballot. Prospective candidates must also have reached their 25th/30th birthday on or before the Primary Election Day.
The RST Election Board is responsible for certifying candidates. Members include Ed Clairmont, Berdine Yellow Eagle, James Neiss and Meredith Kills In Water. There is one vacancy on the Election Board. For more information on this election process please call the RST Election office at 605-856-2373.
Sicangu News 