BIA Election FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

BIA ELECTION

What is the process for conducting a BIA election?

All eligible Grand Ronde Tribal members will:
Be notified through mail when the election will be held.
Will be able to vote by mail.
Will receive a Voter's Pamphlet from the BIA in the mail.
You must register with the BIA to vote in this special election even if you are already registered to vote in the Tribal Council elections.
All Tribal members 18 years of age or older are eligible to vote.
All information on how to register to vote will be included in the Voter's Pamphlet.

BIA Election
I will turn 18 years old this year. Can I vote in this election?
If you will be 18 years of age by the date of the election, you wil receive the same information in the mail as everyone else, and will be eligible to vote int he election.

Is there anything about voting in this election I need to pay careful attention to?
Yes!
You must register with the BIA to vote in this election, even if you are already a registered voter with the Tribe.
When you register to vote by mail, your signature must be signed exactly as the BIA has it or your ballot will not be counted.

Example: Signature on Ballot
If Voter's Pamphlet is addressed to "Mary Margaret Jones"
Signature must read "Mary Margaret Jones".
If signature reads "Mary M. Jones," your ballot will not be counted.
If signature reads "Ms. M. Jones," your ballot will not be counted.

Counting the Votes

What does it take for this amendment to pass?
At least 30% of the BIA registered voters must vote.
Of those BIA registered voters, at least 2/3rds must vote in favor of the amendment

Example: Counting the Votes

If 1,100 eligible Tribal members register with the BIA to vote in this election, and:
650 vote to pass the amendment.
450 vote against the amendment.
The amendment would not pass:
2/3rds of 1,100 is 734.
Unless there were at least 734 votes to pass the amendment, it would fail.

The Tribe said it will post more information on the Tribal member section of the Tribe's webpage:
https://www.grandronde.org/memberlogin.aspx