The logistical challenges presented by the outbreak of COVID-19 has severely inhibited our Nation’s ability to prepare for the scheduled June election. As a result, the administration has moved the upcoming election date from June 6th, 2020 to September 19th, 2020. By moving the election to September, the Election Committee and other involved staff will have appropriate time to plan, prepare, and deliver all the required materials and infrastructure, to execute the election in a precise and professional manner. 

Several factors make this postponement necessary. First, our third-party election administrator, Election Trust, is based in Bellevue, Washington. Washington is currently reporting over 9,000 cases of coronavirus. The outbreak is impeding Election Trust’s ability to plan and execute elections for all their clients. Second, representatives from Election Trust will need to travel to Grove, Oklahoma for the counting process. We need to be sure they will be able to travel without restriction for the election. Finally, for the counting process to be transparent representatives from Election Trust, the Election Committee, and candidate representatives all need to be present in the same room. We have to be sure these people can be together safely, and in compliance with health official guidelines. 

The Business Committee and the Election Committee are committed to a fair and smooth election. The uncertainty of the COVID-19 outbreak means that we are not confident we can deliver that until the pandemic has started to subside, and life is returning to normal. We are committed to holding the election on September 19th, 2020, in compliance with the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Election and Voting Ordinance.