By By MaryClaire Foster
Eighteen members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are beginning campaigning for this year’s Tribal elections.
Tribal members age 18 and up will be voting for the positions of member at large and vice chairman, electing two people to the member at large office and one to the vice chairman office.
Tribal elections are held every year, with three people rotating out of the Tribal Council yearly after serving three-year terms.
This year’s elections are different than years past due to a change voted on in last year’s elections. Previously, Tribal members voted for candidates to be on the general council and not for specific offices, which were voted on by the Council itself.
Gia Johnson, chairman of the Tribal election board, said that the change was made to better serve the public.
Johnson said that the member at large offices is a general Tribal council position and the vice-chairman office has bigger responsibilities.
Johnson said the large number of people running this year was not unexpected and a larger voter turnout is also expected.
Johnson said there are approximately 2,300 Tribal members eligible to vote in this election.
Possible candidates can register until May 7 to be eligible to be a write-in candidate.
Walk-in voting begins on May 7 and lasts until June 2 in the Tribal Auditorium building.
General election voting will be on Saturday, June 6 from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Candidates running for Vice-Chair are Stephanie A. Bryan and Eddie L. Tullis. Candidates running for member at large are David Adams, Amy Michelle Bryan, Polly Ann Walker Carter, Peggy Rolin Couch, Rodney Exum, Douglas “Poncho” Kelley, Desi “Dusty” Martin, Keith Martin, Daniel K. McGhee, Kelli Ramer, Raymond “Bucky” Rolin, William T. Rolin, Berry Ross, Danny Smillie, Paula H. Smith and Carolyn M. White.