Ballots were scheduled to be mailed Oct. 26 to citizens registered for a constitutional election in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, who will decide whether to restructure their government into three co-equal branches.

The single-question ballot asks voters to approve or reject proposed constitutional amendments establishing legislative, executive and judicial branches, according to the tribe’s secretarial election page. A “yes” vote supports the amendments. A “no” vote supports retaining the existing constitution.

How the vote works

Unlike regular Sault Tribe elections, this is a secretarial election administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs. Federal law and the tribe’s constitution govern the process.

Voter registration closed Oct. 19. Completed ballots must be received by 3 p.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 19. Voters can return them by U.S. mail or hand-deliver them on Nov. 19 only, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., at DreamMakers Theater at Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie.

Ballot counting begins at 4 p.m. EST that day at DreamMakers Theater.

What it takes to pass

Three requirements must be met for the amendments to take effect. A majority of ballots cast must favor the changes. At least 30% of registered voters must participate. The secretary of the interior must then approve the amendments.

The tribe’s election-information page does not give a total number of registered voters.

How the process started

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors voted unanimously on May 19, 2026, to submit a proposed amended constitution to the BIA. A Secretarial Election Board was established in July to oversee the process.

Under the proposed amendments, the legislative branch would create and adopt tribal laws. The executive branch would administer tribal government and carry out those laws. The judicial branch would interpret tribal laws and resolve legal disputes.

Transition plan

On Sept. 22, the Board of Directors approved a Constitution Implementation Plan to prepare for a potential shift to three-branch government.

The plan outlines an 18-month transition during which tribal laws would be updated and services would continue.

According to the tribe, the transition is designed to preserve continuity in leadership, services and finances while officials make changes required by the amended constitution and other applicable laws. The implementation plan guides that work; it does not itself amend either constitution.

What’s next

Results are expected to be posted on or about Nov. 19 at the Sault Tribe Governmental Office, 523 Ashmun St., and the BIA Michigan Agency, 2845 Ashmun St., both in Sault Ste. Marie.

Registered voters may submit written challenges to election results, supported by evidence, to Secretarial Election Board Chairman Nicholas VanAlstine by Nov. 24 at 4:30 p.m. EST.