January 18, 2026.
SAULT STE. MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS NOTICE OF ELECTION.
OFFICERS TO BE ELECTED
Unit 1: 2 members.
Unit 2: 1 member.
Unit 3: 1 member.
Unit 4: 1 member.
Unit 5: 1 member.
The Election Commission of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians would like to inform Tribal Members that a tribal election will be held in 2026 for the Tribal Board of Directors; with a primary held on April 30th (if required) and the general election held on June 25.
Below are important dates and information pertaining to the election. Any questions or concerns please email the Election Commission at elections@saulttribe.net. The timetable for the election process is as follows: (All deadlines are 5:00 p.m. EST).
Feb 18th ............................... Last day to receive Letter of Intent for potential candidates. Roll of current registered voters prepared and posted. Nomination petitions available.
March 4th ........................... Nominating petition deadline.
March 5th ........................... List of eligible candidates available.
March 10th ........................ Deadline for contests relating to nominations and initial voter registration.
March 26th ........................ Deadline to mail blank primary ballots to voters.
March 27th ........................ Deadline for non-resident tribal members to register in an Election Unit.
April 30th ........................... Primary Election Day.
May 5th ................................ Deadline for contests relating to vote count.
May 21st.............................. Deadline to mail blank ballots for general election to voters.
June 25th ............................. General Election Day.
June 30th ........................... Deadline for contest relating to vote count.
VOTER REGISTRATION Tribal members who will be eighteen (18) years of age or older on the date of the general election are automatically registered to vote. The Tribal Election Ordinance states all Resident Members in an election unit shall automatically be registered within the unit they reside and Non-resident Members must designate one of the five election units in order to vote in unit Director elections. Registration is permanent unless you move in/out of an election unit. Unit Registration forms must be received by the Tribal Registrar, ninety (90) days prior to the general election, in order to vote in the upcoming elections. Voter registration is open and tribal members who need to register (all previously registered members are considered permanently registered) can contact the Tribal Registrar at the address given below or call the Tribal Registrar's Office. In order to register, you must complete and return a voter registration form to: P.O. Box 102, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783, before 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2026. Non-Resident registration forms that do not designate a specific unit will be considered incomplete and that member shall only be eligible to vote for the Chairperson.
VOTING PROCEDURE All ballots will be mailed to registered voters by first class mail. In order to be counted, ballots must be received by the Tribal Election Commission by 4:30 p.m. at the United States Post Office; Sault Ste. Marie location on April 30, 2026, for the Primary Election and on June 25, 2026, for the General Election.
A Post Office Box is provided by the United States Post Office for return of the ballots. The address of the post office box will be included on the ballot.
Address Correction Requested: The election will be conducted by mail to the address shown in the Tribal Registrar's records. It is the responsibility of the tribal member to ensure that the address shown for him or her is correct. Please contact the Tribal Registrar’s Office for any changes: Tribal Registrar's Office, 2076 Shunk Road, Mailing address: P.O. Box 1628, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, 49783 or by phone: (906) 635-3396 or (800) 251-6597.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES:
Any tribal member who meets the requirements detailed in the Tribal Election Ordinance is eligible for election to office. A candidate for nomination must be eighteen (18) years of age or older by June 25, 2026, a qualified voter, and have established one year residency within the Election Unit which they seek to represent. Any person elected shall voluntarily resign employment position and/or surrender any rights under any contract with the Tribe prior to assuming office. To be nominated, a candidate must file a letter of intent, nominating petitions, campaign financing forms, etc. with the Tribal Election Commission in accordance with the Election Ordinance. A nomination petition must bear the original signatures of the proper number of registered voters from the unit to be represented. A voter may sign only as many petitions as there are offices to be filled from their unit. Petitions must be submitted on the forms provided by the Election Commission obtained at the designated offices.
Finance Reporting: The Election Commission requires candidates and others who expend money on the election to file reports on campaign fundraising and spending. If you plan to spend money on the election, you must contact the Election Commission to obtain the proper forms before doing so. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in criminal prosecution.
Election Contests & Complaints: Any tribal member may raise election disputes before the Election Commission. All disputes must be stated in writing, addressed to the Chairperson of the Election Commission, contain the original signature and be received under procedures provided in the Election Ordinance. The Election Commission will review disputes according to the Election Ordinance.
Election Ordinance: This Notice is a narrative statement of the requirements of the Election Ordinance and the Constitution. If there are any discrepancies in the timelines contained within this Notice of Election, the Election Ordinance and Constitution are controlling and superlative.
Questions regarding the election should be directed to the Tribal Election Commission.
Designated Offices: Designated Offices are the tribal offices as to which additional election material is available and for delivery of correspondence.
Designated Tribal offices are as follows:
Unit 1: Tribal Court Office, George K. Nolan Judicial Building, 2175 Shunk Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Unit 2: Hessel Tribal Center, 3355 Nopaming Drive, Hessel, MI.
Unit 3: St. Ignace Health Center, 1140 N. State St. St. Ignace, MI.
Unit 4: Manistique Tribal Center, 5698 W. Hwy. US-2, Manistique, MI.
Unit 5: Munising Tribal Center, 622 West Superior Street, Munising, MI.
