TRIBE ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL RESULTS OF
CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM

AKWESASNE – The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Election Board certified and announced the official results of last Saturday’s referendum on the 1995 constitution. The official count indicated that the constitution did not pass. 

A total of 214 “NO” votes were cast opposing the adoption of the constitution; 91 votes were in favor of adopting the document; and three ballots were spoiled. A total of 308 enrolled tribal members voted in the referendum.

The question as it appeared on the ballot read: “Do you approve of the Constitution document that was presented to the community in 1995?”

The Tribe held the referendum to gauge whether today’s tribal membership favored the adoption of the 1995 constitution. The results of the vote will be communicated to the BIA as one factor to be considered in the agency’s final analysis as it decides which of the two governance structures—the Three Chief system or Constitutional system— it will recognize as the valid governing authority.

In 2004, a federal judge ruled that the BIA had erred in its interpretation of a 1999 ruling over the constitution’s passage in 1995. The federal court mandated the agency to conduct a complete and thorough analysis of its earlier decision. 

Earlier this week the BIA informed the Tribe that it will make a decision on the governance question in October.

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