TRUTH IN FOCUS | VOTER INFORMATION | October 11, 2026
By Steven Bullcoming Haworth
LAME DEER, Montana — As the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council election approaches on November 3, residents are asking what a write-in vote means, who can receive one, and whether people not named on the printed ballot still have an opportunity to participate as candidates. The written tribal election rules and photographed district notices provide a starting point, but some practical questions still need clear answers from election officials.
Are write-in votes allowed on November 3?
According to the photographed election notices reviewed by Truth in Focus, yes. The September 21 notices for Ashland, Busby and Lame Deer each say there will be no primary election in that district and that write-in voting will be permitted at the November 3 general election. Section 8(d) of the Northern Cheyenne Revised Tribal Election Ordinance provides that if the number of qualified people filing in a district is no more than twice the open Council seats, there is no primary for those seats and write-ins are allowed in the general election.
That is different from saying there are no candidates. A person receiving write-in votes does not appear among the names printed on a pre-election candidate notice merely because voters may write in that person’s name.
What the available district notices show
The photographs reviewed for our October 9 candidate-list report identify the following positions and names:
- Ashland District: One open seat; Donna Fisher and Eugene Little Coyote listed.
- Busby District: One open seat; Torrey Davie listed.
- Lame Deer District: Three open seats; Alan Joe Blackwolf, Dana Eaglefeathers, Sven Limpy, Melissa Lonebear, Henry Speelman, and Corey Spottedelk listed.
These are nine printed candidate names for five seats across three district notices. They are not a list of write-in candidates, nor do these photographs establish that no one intends to receive write-in votes. The newsroom has not independently verified whether any corrected or superseding notices have been issued since September 21.
Although a Council seat is allocated to a district, Section 8 describes Tribal Council general elections as at-large. Voters should follow the official November 3 ballot and instructions rather than assume this election follows Montana state or county ballot rules.
How does someone cast a write-in vote?
Section 13(b) of the tribal election ordinance says that, when write-ins are permitted, a voter may vote for a write-in candidate by writing that person’s name in the space provided on the ballot. For listed candidates, the same section describes making an X or another clear mark next to a candidate’s name. Election officials should clarify what the actual November 3 ballot looks like, how to handle more than one open seat, and how to avoid invalidating a selection.
Voters should seek instructions from the Tribal Secretary or election officials before voting if the ballot is confusing. Writing in a person’s name does not by itself establish that the person meets the requirements for office.
Who qualifies to serve as a Council write-in candidate?
Section 5(a) applies the Council qualifications to both printed-ballot and permitted write-in candidates. It requires the person to be an enrolled Northern Cheyenne tribal member, at least 21 years old, and domiciled in the relevant reservation district for the specified period. The ordinance ties that district-residency period to the date set for a primary election; because the posted notices say no primary will be held, the applicable reference date should be confirmed with election officials. Section 5(d) defines domicile in terms of customary, actual residence.
The ordinance separately addresses declarations and filing fees for people seeking to be listed on the ballot. The Council’s previously reported September 11 declaration deadline should not automatically be treated as a prohibition against every general-election write-in vote. Our review has not established any additional 2026-specific requirements, eligibility ruling, or post-election procedure that officials may apply to write-in candidates. Anyone considering a write-in candidacy should ask the Tribal Secretary and Voters Committee for the current written rules and any amendments or notices before making public claims about eligibility.
Why clear instructions matter
Questions are particularly understandable in districts with fewer printed names than the maximum possible number of candidates. Busby’s photographed notice, for example, lists one candidate for one seat, while Lame Deer lists six for three. Neither situation eliminates the write-in provision stated in those notices. Whether any individual write-in candidacy is valid or competitive is a different question that depends on the ballot, qualifications, votes cast, and lawful counting procedures.
Section 9(b) also requires the Tribal Secretary to post a Notice of Election naming candidates at three public places in each reservation district at least 21 days before the election. For a November 3 vote, that date is October 13. The notices examined by Truth in Focus bear a September 21 date, but the newsroom has not verified every required posting place or any later revisions.
The ordinance’s Sections 10, 11 and 15 separately govern voter eligibility, polling-place registration and absentee voting. Registered or otherwise eligible Northern Cheyenne voters should confirm their district assignment, polling location, hours and absentee procedures directly with election officials rather than rely on social-media rumors.
Questions election officials can help answer
Truth in Focus is seeking or welcomes authoritative written clarification on the official November 3 ballot format; whether any additional write-in qualification or declaration is required; how write-in votes will be tabulated and adjudicated; the complete polling and absentee instructions; and any changes to the district candidate notices. We will publish document-supported corrections or updates if additional records become available.
This is voter information, not an endorsement. Truth in Focus does not recommend any listed or write-in candidate. Northern Cheyenne voters deserve accurate information about all lawful choices and a clear explanation of how their votes will be counted.
Source documents
Primary law: Northern Cheyenne Revised Tribal Election Ordinance, especially Sections 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 16. The publicly linked text should be checked with tribal officials for any later amendments or election-specific rulings.
Previously reported notices: Posted Notices List Nine Candidates for Northern Cheyenne Nov. 3 Council Election (October 9); No Primary, Write-Ins and a Notice Deadline (October 8).
Editor’s note: This October 11, 2026 explainer distinguishes text of the election ordinance and photographed notices from matters not yet independently confirmed. The Council election is distinct from any separately proposed presidential vacancy election. Readers with corrected notices or written instructions can contact the newsroom.
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