[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 25, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 25CFR81.20]

[Page 252-253]
 
                            TITLE 25--INDIANS
 
     CHAPTER I--BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 
PART 81--TRIBAL REORGANIZATION UNDER A FEDERAL STATUTE--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 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.
    (b) In preparing ballots for proposed amendments, care should be 
taken to ensure that:
    (1) Each proposed amendment addresses only a single question.
    (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

[[Page 253]]

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.