ELE.2.4.160 Absentee Ballot Information

(a) No absentee ballot can be received without first being requested for in writing, by the person desiring to vote. Each qualified voter must request his or her own separate ballot in a separate envelope, and sign the request. (See Sample Request Form – Attachment "B" of Chapter ELE.1 of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Code of Law – Election Ordinance).

(1) The use of the form established in Attachment B of Chapter ELE.1 of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Code of Law – Election Ordinance 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 Health Care Facility;

(2) Member is serving in the Military and away from the reservation on the day of the election.

Election Committee Chairperson

c/o 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 referendum election date. No Absentee Ballots will 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 will be processed as follows:

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

(2) Deliver the Official Ballot, Tribal Membership Certification (Attachment "E" of Chapter ELE.1 of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Code of Law – Election Ordinance), and Instructions for Voting by Absenteeism (Attachment "H" of Chapter ELE.1 of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Code of Law – Election Ordinance) to the requesting voter by:

(A) Mail; or

(B) Hand delivery by a member of the Election Committee, as requested, if the voter resides within Sawyer County.

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

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

(5) Provide a copy of the absentee ballot log to the Head Teller at each polling site.

(g) Cast Absentee Ballots shall be received as follows:

(1) Via regular mail to the Tribal Administration Building; or

(2) For those members in a Health Care Facility within Sawyer County only, via collection by a member of the Election Committee accompanied by an Election Security Officer; and

(3) No later than 5:30 pm on the day of the election;

(h) Once an "Absentee Ballot" is received, the voter will 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.