It’s election day in Lac du Flambeau. Six tribal seats will be decided: including the secretary and treasurer, plus four councilmen. Tribal Spokesman Brandon Thoms says there are twelve total seats on the tribal council.
“A council person has a two year term, and those terms are staggered. So generally every year six of those seats go up for election.”
Polls open at 10 am and close at 8 pm at the William Wildcat Community Center. Any tribal member over 18 is eligible to vote. Thoms says it’s a big event, and a number of people living off-reservation will travel back to cast their ballot.
“You do have to present yourself physically at the polls in order to vote. And many of our membership travel from all corners of the country to come home and vote.”
There are about 3800 Lac du Flambeau tribal members. About half of those live on-reservation. Thoms says over a thousand people voting would be considered a good turnout.
