Voter Registration
Until 1971, Choctaws were not allowed to elect their own tribal leaders. The President of the United States appointed chiefs. After the ratification of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act in 1975, Choctaws were allowed to have their own tribal constitution to govern these matters. With this came the responsibility and privilege of voting.
The mission of the Voter Registration Department is to increase voter participation in tribal elections, promote election process transparency through voter education and community outreach, maintain the accuracy of voter information and to maintain compliance with the current Chief and Tribal Council Election Ordinance set forth by our Tribal Council.
requirement checklist
- Member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- 18 years of age or older
- Completion of Voter Registration Form
How do I check if i am registered to vote?
Tribal members who will be 18 prior to the election must register before the election.
Update voter registration information on Chahta Achvffa.
Or
Complete a Voter Registration form and submit:
- Deliver your voter registration in person to:
- Voter Registration Department
1802 Chukka Hina Dr.
Durant, OK 74701 [1st Floor, West Wing]
- Voter Registration Department
- Email to Voter Registration.
- Mail your voter registration to the following address:
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Attn: Voter Registration
PO Box 1210
Durant, OK 74702
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Not if all information is correct on your Voter Registration Certificate. Regardless of whether you live in or out of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a ballot for your affiliated Council District and Chief election will be mailed to the address on file with Voter Registration; or you can go to your nearest voting location to cast your ballot.
You should update your voter registration information if any of these change:
- Married Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Physical Address
- Mailing Address
- Address Release Authorization
If you need to make legal name changes, please contact the Tribal Membership Department to update your record.
- You may choose to release or withhold your addresses on the voter lists given to all qualified candidates who run for office.
- The voter list allows qualified candidates running for tribal office the opportunity to contact voters who have released their information
The registration process will begin once registration forms are received in the Voter Registration Department. You will receive a Voter Registration Certificate once we have processed your form, which you may keep for your records. If your form is not accepted, we will return it to you with a letter detailing further actions to take.
How do i update my voter registration information in chahta achvffa?
How do i cancel my voter registration?
- Fill out the Cancellation Request
- Print & Fill out
- Deliver your cancellation request in person to the Voter Registration Department:
- 1802 Chukka Hina Dr
[1st Floor, West Wing]
Durant, OK 74701
- 1802 Chukka Hina Dr
- Mail your cancellation request to the following address:
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Attn: Voter Registration
PO Box 1210
Durant, OK 74702
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Why is it important to vote?
- Voting in every tribal election gives individual tribal members the opportunity and responsibility to choose their governing body.
- Voting is a powerful way to shape the future of your community and tribal nation. Tribal members’ voices in every election help determine the future of the Choctaw Nation for generations to come.
- Voting honors our ancestors who fought for our freedom as a sovereign nation.
- Voting protects tribal sovereignty through a unified effort of the members, demonstrating the strength of the tribal nation.
How does this affect tribal sovereignty?
One way Choctaw Nation tribal members play an active role in tribal sovereignty is by participating in tribal elections. This is an opportunity for tribal members to have their voices heard by electing their own officials to govern the Choctaw Nation and represent their interests. Tribal sovereignty at its core is the ability for a Nation to govern itself and provide for the overall well-being of the Choctaw Nation and its tribal members.
Get to know your ballot
The next Chief election will be in 2027.
The next Tribal Council election will be in 2027.
You may contact the candidate using the information that the candidate has provided in their public biography.
If there is an ordinance question on the ballot, it will be posted 30-60 days prior to election day. Refer to the sample ballot prior to election day.
A sample ballot will be posted here prior to the next election.
Make Your Plan to Vote
Voting In-Person
Day of Voting Checklist
- Bring your identification document (Tribal Membership Card or state-issued ID).
- Find the nearest open voting location.
- Review the sample ballot.
The Election Board will publicly communicate information for open voting locations before election day in the Biskinik newspaper, on Choctaw Nation social media channels, and on the Choctaw Nation website.
Yes, any tribal member, whether residing inside or outside the reservation, can vote as long as they are registered with the Voter Registration Department.
- There are two methods for voting if voters reside outside the reservation:
- Mail-in Ballot or
- Vote in person at any open designated voting location.
- All voters will receive a mail-in ballot and may choose to mail it back per guidelines or destroy it and/or go to any open voting location on election day(s) and have a ballot printed on demand. Only one ballot per person will be counted.
Voting By Mail
Requesting Your Ballot
- You do not have to request a mail-in ballot.
- If there is a Council District election, all affiliated voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail.
- For constitutional amendments and Chief elections, all registered voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail.
The ballot is sent to the mailing address designated on your current Voter Registration record, unless the address has been marked as a returned address.
Filling Out Your Ballot
All mail ballots have an instruction sheet included.
Yes! If you do not sign the affidavit, your ballot will not be counted.
Returning Your Ballot
Mail-in ballots should be returned to your nearest post office. The Choctaw Nation Election Board does not accept ballots at its office.
No stamp is needed. All ballots return envelopes are postage-paid.
Tracking Your Ballot
No. All mail ballots are held at a secure collection location until early voting ends.
Your ballot is stored in a secure collection location and will be tabulated along with election day ballots.
Inspire Others
Can I volunteer to assist in Tribal Elections?
Yes! Please contact the Election Board Secretary for more information about the Voting Location Board.
Where can I find non-tribal voting information for federal, state, and local elections?
For voting information related to non-tribal elections, please contact the Government Affairs Department.
If you are an Oklahoma resident and need to check your state voter registration, you can find information on the website of the Oklahoma State Election Board.
