ELE.1.5.080 Absentee Ballot Information

(a) No absentee ballot can be received without first being requested for in writing, by the person desiring to vote. Each eligible voter must request their own separate ballot in a separate envelope and sign the request. (See Sample Request Form — Attachment "B").

(1) The use of the form established in Attachment B is not required but recommended.

(b) "Absentee Ballot" requests are only filed under these circumstances pursuant to Article IV, § 3 of the Amended Constitution and By-laws of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians:

(1) Member is in a nursing home, hospital, or other health care facility;

(2) Member is serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces away from the reservation on the day of the Election.

(c) All "Absentee Ballot" requests must be mailed to:

Election Committee Chairperson

LCO Tribal Administration Building

13394W Trepania Road

Hayward, WI 54843

(d) All "Absentee Ballot" requests must be received no later than two (2) weeks prior to the election date. No Absentee Ballots shall be distributed after the Monday preceding the election date.

(e) All "Absentee Ballot" requests shall include all of the voter's previously used surnames (i.e., maiden, previous marriage, etc.).

(f) All requests for Absentee Ballots shall be processed as follows:

(1) Determine if absentee voter meets the eligibility requirements by checking the enrollment status of the absentee voter; and

Deliver the Official Ballot, Absentee Ballot Certification (Attachment "E"), and Instructions for Voting by Absenteeism (Attachment "H") to the requesting voter by US Mail.

(2) Log the listing and numbering of all individuals that have requested, and shall receive, an "Absentee Ballot."

(3) Log all Absentee Ballots returned to the Election Committee.

(4) Provide a copy of the absentee ballot log to the Election Committee members at each polling site.

(g) Cast Absentee Ballots shall be received via regular mail or hand-delivery to the Tribal Administration Building; no later than 6:00 P.M. on the day prior to the Election;

(h) Once an "Absentee Ballot" is received, the voter shall not be allowed to vote at the polling site.

(i) All Absentee Ballots, however received, shall be placed and maintained by the Election Committee in a locked ballot box until counted.