On March 10th, 2020, the Business Committee passed the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Election and Voting Ordinance. This ordinance outlines the basic guidelines and rules for the upcoming September 19th, 2020 election. For example, Article VI requires that the Business Committee hire a neutral third party Election Administrator. Article XII established an Election Committee. The Election Committee is responsible for ensuring that the election procedures follow the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Election and Voting Ordinance.

The election committee has four members: Gary Young, Jeremy Wolfenbarger, Terri Herman, and Jason Whitecrow Perry. The four members are unified in their willingness to do a critical job for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, and in wishing every candidate good luck in the election. According to Chief Fisher, the Business Committee worked hard to select people for the Election Committee able to place personal preferences aside and focus on conducting a fair and accessible election. 

The Election Committee has several specific responsibilities defined by the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Election and Voting Ordinance. First, the Election Committee is responsible for publishing the Election Notice in newspapers, as well as posting it at government buildings. The Election Committee is also responsible for collecting a Declaration of Candidacy from each person who is running for an open position. The Election Committee also ensures that each candidate is eligible to run based on age, address, and membership in the Seneca-Cayuga Nation. Because the upcoming September 19th, 2020 vote is a rerun of a previous election, the former Election Committee received a Declaration of Candidacy from each candidate and determined their eligibility.

On election day, the Election Committee oversees the work done by the Election Administrator. For example, all ballots will be sent to a P.O. box. The only person who can open the box is an employee of the Election Administrator. However, when that employee opens the PO box, they will be accompanied by members of the Election Committee who will ensure all the ballots are removed from the PO box for counting. The Election Committee oversees each step of the counting process in a similar way. 

Finally, requests for recounts and challenges to the election are made to the Election Committee. In the case of a challenge to the election, the Election Committee gathers evidence, takes testimony, and decides if a new vote is needed. This decision can be appealed to the Business Committee.

Fulfilling each of these responsibilities is critical to the success of an election. Accepting a position on the Election Committee takes a high level of commitment. We are thankful to Gary Young, Jeremy Wolfenbarger, Terri Herman, and Jason Whitecrow Perry for the time, energy, and effort they are giving to ensure a fair and accessible election on September 19th, 2020.