CHOCTAW, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben says Choctaw voter turnout went up in this week’s election. Now, he is thanking tribal members for showing up. He also has a message for those who are not signed up to vote in county, state, and federal races.
Ben shared his thoughts in a letter to tribal members dated Friday, Nov. 6. It came from his office at the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
“I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation and pride in our Choctaw Tribal Members for their participation in this week’s General Election,” Ben wrote.
Early Reports Show More Choctaw Voters
Mississippi held its general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Ben said local election offices told the tribe that more members voted this time. However, those numbers are not final yet. Queen City Newsfeed has not yet seen the turnout figures.
“While official figures are still being finalized, the early reports reflect something worth recognizing: our people made the effort to show up and exercise their right to vote,” Ben wrote.
Ben also thanked those who voted early or on Election Day. Mississippi does not have open early voting. Instead, voters who qualify can vote absentee in person at their circuit clerk’s office. For this election, that window ran from Sept. 21 until noon on Oct. 31.
The chief also said every ballot counts. He noted that some races are decided by just a handful of votes.
“Every vote matters, and this election has reminded us just how important each individual vote can be,” he wrote.
Tribal Voter Registration Is Not the Same
Ben also used the letter to point out something many people may not know. Signing up for tribal elections does not sign you up for other elections.
He wrote that “just because you are registered to vote in tribal elections does not mean you are registered for county, state, and federal elections.”
“It is important that your voice is heard in ALL elections,” he added.
Tribal elections choose the Tribal Chief and Tribal Council members. Other elections pick leaders like sheriffs, state lawmakers, and members of Congress. Each one keeps its own list of voters. So, a tribal member may need to register twice.
How to Register
For county, state, and federal elections, you must use a paper form. Mississippi does not let first time voters sign up online.
You can print a voter registration form from the Mississippi Secretary of State. Then mail it or take it to the circuit clerk’s office in the county where you live.
The form must be postmarked or dropped off at least 30 days before an election.
Not sure if you are already registered? You can check on the Y’all Vote website. You can also call the Secretary of State’s Elections Hotline at 1-800-829-6786.
For tribal elections, you can sign up any time of year. Go to the tribal election office in Pearl River. Tribal voters must also register at least 30 days before a tribal election. The next race for Tribal Chief is set for 2027.
For more information, call the Office of the Tribal Chief at (601) 650-1501.
A Message for Everyone
Ben said the pride belongs to everyone, no matter how they voted.
“Regardless of individual political beliefs or the candidates we support, we can all take pride in seeing our Choctaw people actively participating in the democratic process,” he wrote.
He also said he hopes turnout keeps growing.
“I am proud of our people, and I hope the enthusiasm and the voter turnout we witnessed during this general election will continue to grow,” Ben wrote.
He closed the letter with the Choctaw word for “thank you.”
Ben was first elected Tribal Chief in 2019. Then, he won a second term in 2023. The tribe has eight communities spread across several counties. They include Neshoba, Leake, Newton, Winston, and Jones.
