The Cherokee Nation -- the most populous American Indian tribe in the state and the second-largest in the United States -- on June 25 held elections for principal chief, deputy chief and council members. After an all-night session of counting votes and later a ballot recount, results for principal chief remained razor thin, with an apparent winner changing at least twice.

A second election was held Sept. 24, with additional walk-in voting days for the freedmen, descendants of former Cherokee slaves. The additional walk-in voting days were part of a federal court order allowing freedmen to vote in the second election. Ballot counting for the second election began Oct. 9.

On Oct. 12, the Cherokee Nation Election Commission certified the results of the tribe's special election for principal chief.

Tribal Councilor Bill John Baker defeated former Principal Chief Chad Smith 10,703 votes to 9,128.

Baker was sworn into office Oct. 19 on the steps of the Cherokee County Courthouse in Tahlequah.

His official inauguration is Nov. 6.


Chad Smith speaks on in Tahlequah during a news conference about Cherokee Nation election results, left. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

Newly elected Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker hugs his mother, Isabel Baker. ADAM WISNESKI/Tulsa World
Newly elected Cherokee chief seeks to leave positive legacy Newly elected Cherokee chief seeks to leave positive legacy   11/4/2011

Chief Bill John Baker recalls an 'old superintendent' whose greatest measure of himself was to leave the wood pile a little bit taller at the end of each day.
Former Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith looks back with pride Former Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith looks back with pride   10/25/2011

In thinking of his accomplishments, Chad Smith recalls 'some big Indian guy' who walked up to him during his 12-year tenure as Cherokee Nation principal chief, looking as though he had a complaint.
BIA chief congratulates Baker, Cherokees on election BIA chief congratulates Baker, Cherokees on election   10/21/2011

A key federal official who earlier had warned the Cherokee Nation against excluding freedmen descendants from voting issued a statement Thursday congratulating new Principal Chief Bill John Baker.
Baker sworn in as principal chief Baker sworn in as principal chief   10/20/2011

After four months, two elections and a summer of recounts and court hearings, Bill John Baker is now officially principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Bill John Baker sworn in as Cherokee chief Bill John Baker sworn in as Cherokee chief   10/19/2011

The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court has dismissed former principal chief Chad Smith’s appeal in the tribe’s special election, ending the months-long contested principal chief's race.
Cherokee election appeal heads to tribal court Cherokee election appeal heads to tribal court   10/19/2011

A timeline is now in place for an appeal filed in the special election for Cherokee Nation principal chief.
Smith challenges Cherokee election results Smith challenges Cherokee election results   10/18/2011

Former Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith has filed an appeal with the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court challenging the results of the tribe's special election for chief.
Cherokee court has Thursday deadline to consider Smith's election appeal Cherokee court has Thursday deadline to consider Smith's election appeal   10/18/2011

A timeline is now in place for an appeal filed in the special election for Cherokee principal chief.
Smith appeals Cherokee election Smith appeals Cherokee election   10/17/2011

Former Cherokee Principal Chief Chad Smith filed an appeal contesting the results of the tribe's special election.
Third-party observer for Cherokee primary chief election endorses results Third-party observer for Cherokee primary chief election endorses results   10/15/2011

The third-party group that observed the Cherokee Nation's special election for principal chief has endorsed the counting process used earlier this week.
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Timeline

June 25: Cherokee voters cast their ballots for principal chief.

June 26: After a night of counting votes, Bill John Baker is announced unofficial winner by 11 votes. An earlier count that had not included challenged ballots had incumbent Chief Chad Smith ahead by a narrow margin.

June 27: The Cherokee Nation Election Commission says Smith is the "official" winner by 7 votes. Baker calls for a recount.

June 28: Baker asks the tribe's Supreme Court for an emergency injunction and seeks the immediate release of certified election results.

June 29: Baker asks for a hand recount of the election results.

June 30: Certified recount figures make Baker the winner by a 266-vote margin.

July 1: Attorneys for Smith file court papers seeking an electronic recount.

July 5: Smith asks Supreme Court for new election. Also, tribal Election Commission Chairman Roger Johnson resigns.

July 8: The Supreme Court begins hearing testimony on Smith’s appeal of the election results. A Tulsa World review shows at least 31 votes in the election appear to have come from unregistered voters.

July 10: Supreme Court justices order a comparison of the names of 15,000 voters in the June 25 election with the 300,000 Cherokee Nation members registered to vote.

July 12: The Supreme Court orders a hand recount of all ballots from the tribe’s June 25 election. The count is to be used as part of Smith’s appeal and not to determine the next chief.

July 17: A hand recount of ballots concludes that Smith finished five votes ahead of challenger Baker. A court hearing is set for Tuesday in the appeal.

July 21: Cherokee Supreme Court invalidates June election.

Aug. 22: Cherokee Supreme Court ends freedmen descendants' tribal citizenship, upholding 2007 referendum in which tribal members voted to amend the Cherokee constitution to exclude them.

Sept. 20: Agreement reached in federal court to allow freedmen to vote in second election.

Sept. 24: Second election for principal chief held.

Oct. 9: Ballot counting in second election begins.

Oct. 12: Official results show Baker defeated Smith 10,703 votes to 9,128.

Oct. 17: Smith files an appeal with the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court contesting the results of the tribe's special election.

Oct. 19: The Cherokee Nation Supreme Court denies Smith's appeal.

Oct. 19: Baker is sworn in as chief.

Elected Principal Chiefs

1971-75: W.W. Keeler (Keeler was the presidentially appointed chief of the Cherokees 1949-71)

1975-85: Ross Swimmer

1985-95: Wilma Mankiller

1995-1999: Joe Byrd

1999-2011 : Chad Smith

2011-? : Bill John Baker




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