CHOCTAW, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) — The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has announced a special tribal election to fill a vacant seat on the Tribal Council representing the Bogue Homa community, with voting scheduled for May 5, 2026.
According to a notice from the Tribal Election Committee, the election will fill one seat for the remainder of a four-year term ending in 2027. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the CERF Building in Bogue Homa.
Tribal officials said eligible voters must be registered members residing in the Bogue Homa community. Those who have not yet registered must do so by 5 p.m. on April 2, 2026. Registration is available at the Tribal Election Office, and voters are required to present photo identification and their tribal enrollment number.
A voter registration drive is scheduled for April 1, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CERF Building to assist residents ahead of the deadline.
Candidates seeking the council seat must meet several requirements, including being at least 21 years old, holding a high school diploma or GED, and residing in the Bogue Homa community for at least six months prior to the election. Candidates also must be registered voters within the community and obtain endorsement signatures from at least three registered voters.
In addition, candidates are required to submit a nominating petition and pay a nonrefundable $50 filing fee to the Tribal Election Office by 4:30 p.m. on April 10, 2026.
The Tribal Election Committee will review candidate qualifications before finalizing the ballot. Challenges to candidate eligibility must be filed within two business days after the initial candidate list is posted.
Absentee voting will also be available for eligible voters, including those age 57 or older, individuals with physical limitations, or those living more than 50 miles from their voting community. Requests for mailed absentee ballots must be submitted by noon on April 15, 2026, while in-person absentee requests begin April 16. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by noon on May 4.
Tribal officials noted that voters may be asked to present identification at polling locations, and residency challenges must be filed by March 30, 2026.
For additional information, voters and candidates may contact the Tribal Election Committee or the Tribal Election Office at Tribal Headquarters in Choctaw.
The election will be conducted by a Local Community Election Committee appointed by tribal officials.
