Let your voice be heard, vote in the tribal election

Next week our tribal members will begin receiving ballots in the mail. As tribal members, we will have the chance to affect change in the Choctaw Nation. Each vote, including your vote, is an opportunity to guide the direction you would like to see for our tribe, and your vote is important to the future of the Choctaw Nation.

This election cycle will give you a chance to vote on five new amendments to the Choctaw Constitution. On January 15, 2025, the Tribal Council decided to add five changes (amendments) to the Constitution. These changes will be on the ballot for the 2025 Tribal Election. We believe these amendments will be the best for the Choctaw Nation and will help advance the tribe.

What Are the Proposed Amendments?

Amendment 1: Changing the Description of the Reservation Boundaries

• Current boundary descriptions are based on a hard-to-find map.
• The new description uses clear language based on federal laws and treaties.
• Will this change the actual boundaries? No, it just makes the description easier to understand and more accurate.

Amendment 2: Removing References to Oklahoma and the Federal Government in Some Parts

• This change removes mentions of the State of Oklahoma and the U.S. government in some sections to strengthen Choctaw Nation’s sovereignty apart from the state of Oklahoma and the U.S.
• It strengthens the Choctaw Nation’s independence by allowing the Nation to make and follow its own laws.
• The oath taken by officials will also be updated to reflect this change.

Amendment 3: Removing the Detailed Description of the 12 Council Districts

• The current detailed descriptions of each district’s boundaries are outdated because the Tribal Council has made changes over time.
• This amendment lets the Tribal Council decide district boundaries without having to update the Constitution each time.
• This makes the Constitution straightforward and more accurate.

Amendment 4: Amend the spelling from Tuskahoma to the original Choctaw spelling of “Tvshka Homma” (the Capitol)

• The word “Tvshka Homma” means “Red Warrior” in Choctaw.
• This amendment corrects the Choctaw Capitol’s spelling to honor Choctaw culture and language properly. It changes the Choctaw Capitol name from Tuskahoma to the traditional Choctaw spelling of Tvshka Homma.

Amendment 5: Removing the Need for Approval by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior for Amendments

• Currently, the Secretary of the Interior must approve constitutional amendments.
• This amendment removes that requirement.
• It strengthens the Nation’s sovereignty by allowing the Choctaw Nation to make changes to its Constitution without federal approval based on the approval of the people.

Per Article XVIII, Amendment, Section 2 of the Constitution of the Choctaw Nation “Adoption of not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total number of qualified voters of the Nation voting in the last Chief’s election shall be required to amend this Constitution.” 21,808 tribal members voted in the last Chief’s election on July 11, 2025, and that means 11,122 votes in the affirmative are required to pass the amendment(s) to the Constitution of the Choctaw Nation.

This election will also determine who will lead three tribal council districts. So far, incumbent tribal council members Jennifer Woods (District 6), Joey Tom (District 7), James Dry (District 9), Anthony Dillard (District 10) were all qualified and re-elected to their respective posts as they were unopposed. District 5 and District 12 will have new tribal council representatives as both seats have been vacated. We have a race in District 4, and we should know the outcome of Districts 4, 5 and 12 elections when the ballots have been tabulated on July 12.

The importance of your vote is immeasurable as it lets your representatives know what is most important to the people they represent. By making your voice heard it gives the necessary direction to the council’s decisions on issues that will affect you the most.

Voting is the backbone of any sovereign nation. To allow free and unbiased elections is the foundation of a free democracy so everyone’s voice will be heard. Make sure you vote. Also, if your friends or neighbors need help getting to the voting places on the day of the election or for the early election, please lend a hand to get them there.

For more information regarding the 2025 Choctaw Election, voter registration information, voting locations and voting statistics, visit the Voter Registration webpage. You can also download a 2025 Election Guide from the Biskinik. Your Tribal Voter Registration information is also available on Chahta Achvffa. If you need assistance, please call 580-642-8600.

Make your voice heard and help the future of the Choctaw Nation!

Yakoke and God Bless!