By JAMI CUSTER
Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation Election Commission met to discuss several items on its agenda including possible action on campaign finance reporting requirements. 

According to the commission, there are three reports that remain to be filed. Two are amended financial reports and one final financial report from Jodie Fishinghawk’s campaign. The amended reports must be filed by Feb. 1.

“From the council 1 race and the council 2 race either there are some that need to be amended or have not been received – Jodie Fishinghawk which would be a final,” said Commissioner Martha Calico. “I talked to Jodie a couple of times and told her it was due and she hasn’t got it here, and she said ‘I will get it there.’”

Chairperson Susan Chapman-Plumb said a letter had been sent and that the CNEC will send another.

Also on the agenda was District 1 council seat winner Joe Byrd’s complaint of an anonymous mailer that had been distributed to voters prior to the election.

“We have limited investigative authority. We’re limited to finance violations and a disqualification of a candidate for eligibility reasons,” said Chapman-Plumb. 

CNEC Attorney Cliff Wright agreed and added that under Title 26 “only a losing candidate can launch a complaint and here Mr. Byrd won the election.”

“I think our action, if any, would come after any financial reports were filed. And those reports are not due until February,” Chapman-Plumb said.

District 1 election results were on the agenda for possible action, but none was taken due to election results already being certified. 

“Nothing was filed and no protests,” said Calico.

CNEC Administrator Wanda Beaver said if something had been filed it would have been done at the CN Courthouse and candidates had until 5 p.m. on Jan. 23.

Chapman-Plumb made a motion to table an item for discussion and possible action regarding the CNEC’s communications needs. She also motioned to table the item regarding the temporary addresses and care of address questions regarding the District 2 election irregularities that have been sent to the CN Attorney General’s office.

“We’ve been in a little bit of discussion with the incoming attorney general and they obviously are in a transition so we might want to wait until after that transition is completed before we resubmit our questions that we have to (Todd Hembree),” Chapman-Plumb said.

Lastly, the CNEC decided they would hold an open meeting to discuss with CN officials and the Carter Center, after receiving their final report, what changes need to be made to the election law and CNEC policies. Chapman-Plumb said the meeting would be held on Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. at the CNEC located at 22116 S Bald Hill Road in Tahlequah. There will be time for public comment during the meeting, but it will be limited.