The Election Committee oversees all elections and official votes for the Nation. Major elections for the Nation happen every four years, but in between major elections the committee still counts votes during General Council meetings for committee seats and votes of the General Council. The Election procedures were passed by the General Council in September 2010 and they serve as a guide for the Election Committee.
Meeting times:
Upon request of the Chairperson
Contact:
Election.Committee@catawba.com
Morgan Webster, Chair
Tiffany Witherington, Interim Co-Chair
Ashley Sexton, Secretary
Kristie Ratterree
Mandy Howard
Merri Thomas
Alyssa Henderson
Clarklyn Thomas, Alternate
Cameron Troxel, Alternate
2023 Election- List of Nominees
1. Notice of Nominations: A nomination notice shall be sent via mail to all Citizens who will be Eligible Voters, or at least 18 years of age, the day of the election, at least 45 Days prior to the January General Council meeting taking place during an election year. A nomination notice shall include information pertaining to the upcoming election and the requirements for those interested in running for Elected Office. No later than 11/23/2022.
Section 5.03 Requirements for Executive Committee: No one may serve on the Executive Committee while also serving as:
(1) an employee of the Nation
(2) a board, committee, or commission member of a Tribal enterprise or Tribal corporation, unless specified by Tribal, Federal or state law
(3) an employee of the Bureau of Indian Affairs or of the Indian Health Service
(4) an employee of any Federal agency where their employment potentially would involve matters of concern to the Catawba Nation, unless they recuse themselves from working on such matters in their employment with that Federal agency
(5) a judicial official of the Nation, or a member of a Tribal board, committee, or commission (except this shall not apply to committees or workgroups the Executive Committee may form to perform its functions). Any such individual, if elected to office, must resign from a position listed above before being sworn into office. All stipulations above shall apply during an elected official’s full term in office
Nominations: In addition to requirements outlined in this Section, Citizens must be present either in person or virtually at the General Council meeting in which the candidate was nominated to accept the nomination. The Election Committee shall have the duty and power to determine the eligibility of Nominees for Elected Office of the Nation in accordance with this Ordinance. To be a candidate for Elected Office, a Nominee must complete the Announcement of Candidacy Form supplied by the Election Committee and file it with the Chairperson of the Election Committee within 30 days of nominations. (February 15, 2023) The Election Committee ensures a background check and drug test be administered within 60 days of receiving a candidate’s Announcement of Candidacy Form (April 17, 2023). A Federal criminal background check will be conducted by name, date of birth, fingerprints, and the social security number of a Nominee. Candidate fee will be $160
2. Notice of Elections: An Election Notice shall be sent via mail to all Citizens who will be Eligible Voters, or at least 18 years of age, the day of the election, at least 90 Days prior to the election date. Election Notice will also be posted to the Nation’s Citizen Portal, posted at Tribal facilities, and posted to the Tribe’s social media. The Election Notice shall include information pertaining to the election, such as the date, time, and Polling Place of the election. The notice shall also include an Absentee Ballot Request Form and may include other forms necessary for participating in the election process. No later than 4/29/2023.
Events: Election Day – 7/29 Polls open 7am-7pm Voting location: 996 Avenue of the Nations, Rock Hill, SC 29730. Curbside voting will be available while polls are open Deadline for Absentee Ballots Only Eligible Voters who submit an Absentee Ballot Request Form will be sent an Absentee Ballot by mail at least 30 Days before the date of the election (6/29/2023). No Absentee Ballot Request Forms will be accepted by the Election Committee after this time. Absentee Ballots not received by the Election Committee by mail the day before the election shall be declared invalid and shall not be counted.
The purpose of this Election Ordinance is to establish formal procedures for elections of the Catawba Nation, to ensure fair elections and the sanctity of the ballot, to provide direction to the Election Committee of the Catawba Nation, and to ensure the Election Committee conducts its affairs in a manner to avoid an election irregularity. This Election Ordinance shall be administered in such a way as to accomplish these purposes.
In this Final Election Ordinance document you will be be able to find explanations of the following topics: