To the Editor

To the Editor,

Hello once again. I am writing to provide a final view on the 2013 tribal election. For the record, I am not the person who filed an appeal with the Tribal Election Board. That is someone else. My point of concern in this election was the unconventional means of victory that one candidate employed successfully in their election goal, and how well the ballot boxes were safeguarded during the irregular combined three days of “walk-in” and regular voting that led to the final election outcome.

On Wednesday June 12, 2013, I was contacted by a member of the Tribal Election Board and informed that a vote had been taken by the tribal election board approving me to see copies of the original surveillance footage while accompanied by tribal chaperones who would watch me while I watched the ballot box footage.

I had a different approach in mind when this request of mine was filed with the Tribal Election Board. I wanted to see the original surveillance footage of the ballot boxes, to make sure that nothing was missing from the continuity of the entire election period. If the ballot boxes are left out of the camera’s eye, that is the concern. That is likely the period of time when any impropriety could take place.

My status as a tribal member should be reason enough to express an interest in this election process quality control. Due diligence is why I want to see the camera footage. I did not request to be part of any Tribal Election Board voting to allow me to do anything. If the footage that I am to be watching is a copy, I have to assume that someone with a surveillance background has now viewed the same footage that a copy is being made of. Why then would I need someone to watch me while I watch the tribal camera images?

The more I work through this process, the more surprised that I am that such provisions have to be put in place to discourage input from the tribal membership. Most people do not get involved in tribal politics unless they work for the tribe in some way. There are exceptions but I am talking about the majority. Why is this case? I am just looking for some assurances from this election that the best effort was put forth to ensure that the highest form of due diligence was employed during the entire balloting, from beginning to end. Anything less than the full accountability is asking for a political hall pass from each and every one of us, during each election. We do not have to agree to cut the tribal political process any slack.

I did not have to agree to any stipulations to view what should fall under open access tribal records, regardless of the information format. What I am seeing here is more energy spent on the control of freewill than to raise the bar to improve the system that is being questioned. Who am I to question these rules? One tribal member, that’s who.

Peace Be with Everyone

Agnes Terrance