Secretarial Election Puts 3-Branch Government in Membership’s Hands

What is a secretarial election, why is it needed, who can participate?

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians membership will have their voices heard on whether the Tribe adopts a co-equal three-branch government by voting “yes” or “no” in late summer or early fall 2026.

With foundational changes to the way the Tribe is governed, federal law and Article X of the Sault Tribe Constitution require a special process known as a secretarial election. The election process began following a May 19 Sault Tribe Board of Directors meeting in which the Board voted unanimously to submit an amended constitution to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Secretarial elections are federally administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the BIA. Following a review of the amended constitution by the BIA, a Secretarial Election Board will form to oversee the election process. This includes:

• Voter registration
• Ballot distribution
• Notifying Sault Tribe members on how to register
• Outlining election procedures

Unlike regular Sault Tribe elections, the BIA administers secretarial elections rather than the Sault Tribe. Thus, it’s important to register to vote with the BIA-led Secretarial Election Board, as ballots will only be mailed to those who register for this specific election. Please note, you must register for this secretarial election regardless of past participation in Sault Tribe or secretarial elections. As with Sault Tribe elections, voting materials will be sent out and returned via the U.S. Postal Service. Once formed, the Secretarial Election Board will release more information on the registration process.

To participate, Sault Tribe members must:

• Meet federal voting requirements
• Register for the secretarial election per BIA instructions
• Be listed on the official Tribal Citizenship/Membership roll
• Ensure their mailing address is current with Tribal Enrollment
• Return ballots by mail

Under Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations sections 81.7 and 81.19, a timeline for the secretarial election is established once the Sault Tribe submits its amendment request to the BIA. The BIA must perform a technical review within 30 days, and the election must be called within 90 days pending the review.

Ballots will be mailed later this summer or early this fall to eligible registered voters. Tribal members will then decide whether to approve constitutional amendments establishing co-equal legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.

For the amendments to take place, the following criteria must be met:

• A majority of ballots cast must vote in favor
• At least 30% of those who register for the secretarial election must cast ballots
• The Secretary of the Interior must approve the proposed changes

The amended constitution implementing a three-branch government submitted to the BIA can be viewed here. For information on Tribal Enrollment visit here or call 906‑632‑8552 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..