In a momentous decision set to shape the future of the Cherokee Nation, voters will head to the polls in a rare special election slated for June 15. At the heart of this election is a pivotal question: Should the tribe convene a constitutional convention, a process last undertaken in 1999?

The Cherokee Nation’s constitution mandates that the issue of a convention be presented to its citizens at least once every two decades. Now, nearly a quarter-century since the last convention, the Cherokee people will have the opportunity to determine the course of their governance.

Approved by the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council on March 11, the special election will feature a referendum allowing voters to approve or reject the convening of a constitutional convention. If greenlit, this convention would empower an independent committee to propose amendments, revisions, or even a new constitution.

The road to the “2024 Special Question Election” is marked by several crucial dates, according to the Cherokee Nation Election Commission. Eligible voters may cast their ballots in person at precincts on election day, participate in early walk-in voting, or opt for absentee ballots. For at-large citizens, early walk-in voting or absentee ballots are the sole avenues for participation.

Early voting is scheduled for June 8 and June 11 to 13, offering extended hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee voters can hand-deliver their return packets to designated drop boxes on June 8 and from June 11 to 13, as well as on election day itself. These packets must reach the Election Commission office by 7 p.m. on June 15 to be considered valid.

Reflecting on the significance of the last constitutional convention held in 1999 sheds light on the weight of the decision facing Cherokee voters. Delegates convened two and a half decades ago to draft a new constitution, replacing the one enacted in 1976. This updated constitution, however, did not come into effect until 2003, following legal proceedings that concluded in 2006.

Outlined in the tribe’s constitution is a clear process for amending or revising its foundational document. Proposals for amendments may originate from the Tribal Council, subject to approval by a majority vote. If endorsed, these proposals are then put to the Cherokee people for approval or rejection in the subsequent general election, barring a two-thirds majority vote by the Council for a special election.

The impact of the upcoming special election extends far beyond the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. It represents a pivotal moment in the tribe’s history, offering citizens the chance to shape the course of their governance for generations to come. As the clock ticks closer to June 15, anticipation and deliberation among Cherokee voters are palpable, underscoring the gravity of the decision ahead.