By Steven Bullcoming Haworth
Collaborator: Corry Bullcoming Haworth
Truth in Focus | Northern Cheyenne Election 2026 | October 7, 2026
LAME DEER, Mont. — DEVELOPING: The Northern Cheyenne Tribe’s regular general election remains set for November 3, 2026, according to the Sept. 23 Tribal Court order and subsequent public reporting reviewed by Truth in Focus.
The election is separate from the October 30, 2025 special election that was later treated by the Tribal Court as void because the underlying Council vacancies had not been lawfully created. The Sept. 23 order reaffirmed the authority of the original Council members and stated that the November 3 election should proceed.
UPDATE — October 8, 2026: Since this article was published, Truth in Focus has reviewed a further Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council election notice addressing the decision not to hold a primary, permitting write-in voting, candidate-filing deadlines and the 21-day Notice of Election requirement. We have published a separate developing election follow-up with the new documents and outstanding questions. This original October 7 report has been retained; this dated update notice was added for transparency.
What the election ordinance says
The Northern Cheyenne Revised Tribal Election Ordinance provides for regular Tribal Council elections and sets procedures for candidate filings, notices, voter eligibility, polling, absentee voting and certification. The ordinance states that, for a general election, a Notice of Election listing the people running must be posted at least 21 days before the election in three public places in each Reservation District.
With the general election scheduled for November 3, that notice requirement becomes especially important during the next several days. Truth in Focus is seeking the official 2026 candidate list, district postings, polling locations, absentee-ballot information and any Election Board or Tribal Secretary notices so that a fuller voter guide can be published from authenticated records.
What the Sept. 23 court order changed
Reporting on the Sept. 23 Tribal Court order says the court directed that the Council members recognized by the ruling retain authority to administer and certify the November election. The order also required transfer of election-related materials, including candidate filings, voter lists, election funds, ballots, notices and related records.
The same court action vacated an October 1 primary date that had previously been scheduled. In the materials reviewed by Truth in Focus, no replacement primary date was set. The previously listed November 16 swearing-in date was also vacated.
What we still do not have
Truth in Focus has not yet obtained a complete authenticated candidate list or a full set of current district election notices. We will not fill those gaps with social-media rumor or unofficial lists. When the official materials are available, we will publish the names, districts, polling information and deadlines as a voter-service update.
Readers who have a photographed or scanned official election notice may submit it to Truth in Focus for verification. Publication will depend on confirming the document’s source and date.
Sources
Northern Cheyenne Revised Tribal Election Ordinance
Northern Cheyenne Constitution and Bylaws
Buffalo’s Fire — Sept. 23, 2026 Tribal Court order coverage
Copyright © 2026 Steven Bullcoming Haworth & Corry Bullcoming Haworth. All rights reserved.