Election Board members and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Council have all eyes glued to the coin flipped to determine the seat of Trustee IV.
Pictured above l to r: Election Board member Tom Allen, Jr., Trustee IV Candidate and victor Samuel Allen, runner-up Jean Paul Roy, Election Board members Francis Wakeman III, Laurel Tye, Victoria Perez, and Deb Wakeman, who flipped the coin. Photo by Donovan Kills-A-Hundred
FLANDREAU – Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Vice Presidential Candidate Cynthia Allen-Weddell defeated incumbent Jason Taylor and Trustee IV Candidate Samuel Allen beat out Jean Paul Roy for their respective seats August 4 after the August 2 General Election ended in unprecedented deadlocks.
Allen-Weddell and Taylor each garnered 100 votes with two spoiled ballots in the Saturday election while Roy and Samuel Allen each tallied 99 votes with four spoiled ballots. The series of ties are believed to be the first and second in the tribes General Election history. A coin toss, as mandated in the tribe’s election provisions, determined the winners.
In the race for Trustee II Richard Allen unseated incumbent Garrie Kills A Hundred by virtue of a 106-94 vote. As of press time the candidates were to be sworn in on Thursday, barring any challenges to contest the results by any of the runners-up. (As of 8-6-08 Jean Paul Roy has since contested the entire election process. - a. allen fsst webeditor)
According to FSST Election Board by –laws, “If a tie vote results in the General Election, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin. Whichever candidate’s name appears on the ballot first shall be designated ‘heads’ and the other candidate shall be designated ‘tails’ for the coin toss.” Allen-Weddell and Samuel were both listed first on the official ballot, and each toss resulted in heads.
“We were very surprised,” said Election Board member Deb Wakeman said of the tie votes.  “The Election Board, together, we did whatever we could to make sure everything was correct.” The election was held in conjunction with the tribe’s quarterly general members meetings, held at Royal River Casino. Polls were open for four hours.
Allen-Weddell made up 26 votes from the June primary to force the coin toss and preparation of the coin toss and gave praise to her predecessor.
“Jason’s a very good person; he’s done good in representing the tribe as Vice President.”
Now that it’s over, Allen-Weddell said she can focus on her new duties.
(pictured to the right: Taylor and Allen - Weddell embrace in a congratulatory hug after the toss.)
“I can move forward and help the tribal members, and be there for them, and set some of my priorities for the elders and the youth,” said Allen-Weddell. She said she initially questioned the ordinance’s ruling to determine the outcome with a coin toss, but said, “this is better way, I believe, for it to happen like this with a tie.”
Trustee IV-Elect Samuel Allen stated that he didn't know what to think when he saw the vote was tied, but called the election “one for the books.”
He said the main thing is to “bring the constitution back inline with the minutes…and getting then out to the people.”
Samuel added that he is “very excited about taking office and doing what I can for the people.”
Richard Allen said his victory over Kills A Hundred meant “a big opportunity to serve the people of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe.”
“It means a big challenge to help direct the tribe in a more positive way now, just to help make more positive decisions for the betterment for our people for the future.”
Like Vice President – Elect Allen-Weddell, Richard also expressed respect for his opponent.
Trustee II runner-up Kills A Hundred called his position, “The best job I’ve ever had.”
“The things I’ve learned, what an education!” Kills A Hundred said. “The people I’ve met. They were not good people, they were great people. I’m going to miss it.
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe General Election results
Vice - President
Cynthia Allen-Weddell 100*
Jason Taylor 100*
*Allen wins by coin toss as mandated in the FSST Election Board By-laws
Trustee II
Richard Allen 106
Garrie Kills A Hundred 94
Trustee IV
Samuel Allen 99*
Jean Paul Roy 99
*Allen wins by coin toss as mandated in the FSST Election Board By-laws
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Election By-laws
Article 20, Chapter 6, Section 14: Tie Vote
If a tie vote results for second place for any position in the primary election, the three top vote getters shall be certified to run in the general election. If a tie vote results in the general election, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin. Whichever candidate’s name appears on the ballot first shall be designated heads and the other candidate shall be designated tails for the coin toss. |
