Ethics Commission

The Potawatomi Ethics Commission was formed to create a Code of Ethics and to investigate and hear complaints against Nation officials which arise under the code of ethics provisions.

The Potawatomi Ethics Commission is elected by the Nation’s General Council. The initial Chairperson and Secretary serve four years, the Vice-Chairperson and Commissioner #1 serve three years, and Commissioners #2 and #3 serve two years. Thereafter, it shall be comprised of six members who shall be elected for three-year terms by the General Council through an election process.

The Commission was approved in 2007 and the Tribal Council funds the Commission at a level sufficient to satisfy Constitutional and statutory obligations. Commissioners are not paid for their service but do receive expense reimbursements incurred in performing their official duties.

2019 Notice of Election for Ethics Commission

Members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation are hereby notified that an Election will be held on July 27, 2019 for the purpose of electing five (5) members of the Ethics Commission. The term of office for all positions is three (3) years. The open seats are Chairperson, Secretary, Commissioner #1, Commissioner #2, and Commissioner #3.

This election shall be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and Election Ordinance of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

Automated Election Services of Rio Rancho, New Mexico will assist the Election Board with this election.

Qualified Voters

To cast a ballot in this election you must:

A) Be an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
B) Be 18 years of age or older by May 17, 2019.
C) Have a voter registration form file with Election Board no later than May 17, 2019 at 4 p.m. if you have never registered to vote. Registered voters will not receive a voter registration form.

Qualified Candidates

A qualified candidate must:

A) Be an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
B) Be 25 years of age or older, as of the date of this election for the following seats:
Chairperson, Secretary, and Commissioner#1.
Be 21 years of age or older, as of the date of this election for the following seats:
Commissioner#2 and Commissioner#3.
C) Agree to a comprehensive criminal background investigation conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation or an investigative agency deemed appropriate by the Election Board for record clearance.
D) Not have been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years.
E) If elected, agree to the Drug-Free Workplace Policy and consent to drug testing.
F) Submit a Declaration of Candidacy Form, $50.00 non-refundable filing fee, photo for ballot to the Election Board office no later than April 26, 2019, at 4 p.m. The filing fee must be paid by Cashiers Check or Money Order. Made payable to: Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Cash or personal check will not be accepted.

Ballot Distribution

Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters no later than June 7, 2019. All ballot distribution packages will contain a pre-addressed return envelope for mailing ballots back to the Election Board. All ballots must be received in the Election Board Post Office box in Mayetta, Kansas no later than 9 a.m. on the date of the election, July 27, 2019. Please allow one to two weeks for mailing back your ballot.

Election Results

Ballots will be tabulated in an open meeting for Tribal Members conducted by the Election Board after 9 a.m. on Election Day, at the Old Bingo Hall. Tabulation of ballots will continue until all ballots have been tabulated and the results of that tabulation have been recorded.

The Election Board shall issue the Preliminary Election Results immediately after the conclusion of the tabulation. Any election protests must be filed three (3) business days following an election, July 31, 2019, at 4 p.m.

Certified Election Results will be posted at the appropriate Tribal offices, as well as, being released to all appropriate media at the conclusion of the election.

Election Calendar

Candidate Filing Date
April 15 to April 26, 2019, 4 p.m. Declaration of Candidacy Form, photograph and non-refundable filing fee are due.
Candidate Withdrawal Date
May 3, 2019, 4 p.m. Last date for candidates to withdraw their names from the election.
Voter Registration Deadline
May 17, 2019, 4 p.m. Last day for enrolled members 18 years of age or older to register to receive a ballot for this election, if not already registered.
Ballot Mailing Date
June 7, 2019. Ballots mailed to Registered Voters only.
Election Date
July 27, 2019, 9 a.m. Last day for ballots to be received at the Mayetta Post Office by 9 a.m.
Run-Off Election Date
If required, shall follow four (4) weeks after initial election.

Printable PDF: 2019.Ethics.Election.Notice