Voters Confused??

I have been talking to many Tribal Members and asking them if they had turned in their ballots. Some of the responses I get are entertaining as they don't have the heart to tell me no and that it's from their own sheer laziness. Many, however, state that they did not vote because they didn't get their Signature Verification Form (SVF) notarized and sent in before they received their ballot.

There has been a lot of confusion about the "SVF" ever since it went out to the membership. It stated on the document that one either had to have it notarized before being returned OR a copy of one's picture identification needed to be attached and sent back with the completed form. Although that much is true, it was not mandatory for those forms to be completed in order for one to vote in this year's Tribal Election.

That is where the confusion sets in. Many people believed (myself included) that the "SVF" had to be completed in full with the required documentation attached to be eligible to vote in this year's Tribal Election. I was so confused that I had to call the Chairperson of the Election Board to find out if that was the case. That, in fact, is not the case. Basically, these forms are going to be sent out every five years (beginning this year, I believe) solely to update the voter's information. It is not a requirement for the voters to complete them in order to vote in the election.

Due to the confusion surrounding the "SVF", I believe we will have a very low voter turnout this year. My prediction is based on the amount of Tribal Members I have talked to that have opted not to vote because they felt their vote wouldn't count since they didn't complete the "SVF".

If you're reading this and you have not voted because you didn't complete the Signature Verification Form, please vote. It will count.

I will continue to talk with Tribal Members to get this message out. If everyone reading this could do the same and let their friends and family know that their votes will count, that would be very much appreciated. Again, our right to vote is currently the biggest voice we have.

Thank you for reading and remember, "TOBY09".