Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Tribal members went to the polls Saturday for a special election for one of six positions on the ST. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council. A total of 325 votes were cast and Pamela Brown has unofficially been elected Sub-Chief, by a margin of three votes.

The three-year sub-chief term was unexpectedly left vacant this year after the tribe’s regular June election. The elected community members opted not to be sworn-in on Inauguration Day and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Election Board opted to hold a special election.

The election Saturday was for one sub-chief position only.

Brown received a majority of votes with 83 regular votes and 18 absentee votes for a total of 101 votes.

Running very closely behind, Agatha Thompson received 87 votes at the polls and 11 absentee votes for a total of 98 votes.

Coincidentally, the regular June election also produced a winning candidate who garnered just three more votes than her opponent; Monica Jacobs was elected Chief with a total of 230 votes. Her closest opponent, Lorraine M. White, lost her seat to Jacobs when she received 227 votes.

Additional candidates for the sub-chief position Saturday were Brendan White who garnered 60 total votes (55 ballots with 5 absentee), Wade James McDonald who received 31 votes and 5 absentee ballots for a total 36 votes, and Hollis White who received 21 votes on Election Day and one absentee ballot for a total of 22 votes. One vote was cast for Dan White as a write-in candidate. Five ballots were void and two were spoiled.

Following official certification of the election results, Brown is expected to be sworn in to office on an as yet unannounced date.