81.20—Ballots.
(a)
Ballots are to be prepared clearly and simply so that it is easy for the voters to indicate a choice between no more than two alternatives. For example, if a tribal council or the petitioners propose to reduce the one-half degree blood quantum required to qualify for membership but want the voters to decide whether it should be one-fourth or one-eight, it would not be appropriate to put those two alternatives on the ballot. Doing so, would deny the voters an opportunity to vote for keeping the one-half degree blood quantum. Neither would it be appropriate to include all three blood quantum alternatives. Rather, those proposing the change should decide which blood quantum is to be submitted to the voters. The ballot in the Secretarial election would then give the electors the choice of marking either “yes” or “no.” A vote against the proposed change would be in favor of keeping the one-half degree blood quantum in the example.
(2)
If a proposed amendment conflicts with other provisions of the document being amended, the ballot shall be prepared so that the question includes all changes in those other directly related provisions in order to avoid contradictions within the document.
(3)
When more than one amendment is being submitted to the voters at a given election, the proposals shall be identified with alphabetical designations rather than numerical. The first of the several proposals would be labeled “Proposed Amendment A,” the next would be “Proposed Amendment B,” etc. Those amendments that are adopted and approved would then be assigned consecutive numbers to follow those assigned any earlier amendments that may have been make to that governing document. A statement similar to the following shall appear on each of the proposed amendments and shall be completed following the election:
Having been duly adopted and approved, Proposed Amendment (A,B,C, etc.) is hereby designated as Amendment No. _ to the (Constitution, Charter, etc.) of the (name of tribe) Tribe.
(c)
The election board will supply all ballots. Each ballot shall be stamped in red ink on its face in the same place:
OFFICIAL BALLOT
(Facsimile Signature)
CHAIRMAN, ELECTION BOARD
(d)
Should any voter spoil or mutilate a ballot in the course of voting at a poll, the voter shall destroy it in the presence of the election officials and the election officials shall then make note of the destroyed ballot and furnish the voter with another ballot.
(e)
Any spoiled or mutilated absentee ballot may be exchanged for a new one by returning it to the election board with a request for another. The board shall honor the request promptly and note the dates of related actions. No extension of time will be granted for receipt of exchanged ballots that might not be cast on time.