It’s your Constitution: Membership, Districts, Power.
Amendments to the Constitution – November 3, 2020 Special Election – It’s your Constitution: Membership, Districts, Power
By Community Council resolution, GRIC has set a special election to be held in conjunction with the General Election on November 3, 2020.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Article III Membership
The amendment to Article III would delete the 20-year-rule. Currently, Article 3, Section 3 of the Constitution states that a Community member who remains away from the Reservation continuously for 20 years shall automatically forfeit his or her tribal membership.
- A YES vote will remove this language from the Constitution and allow member
to keep their membership if they remain away for 20 years.
- A NO vote will keep the current language.
Article XI Districts
The amendment to Article XI addresses the boundary of the Co-op Village in the Westend. Currently, Article 11, Section 1 of the Constitution states that the area known as Co-op shall be within District 6; however, the legal boundaries stated in Article 11 place Co-op within District 7.
- A YES vote will change the legal boundaries of District 7 and District 6 to
move the area known as Co-op from District 7 to District 6.
- A NO vote will keep the current language.
(click here to view map of proposed changes)
Article XV Powers of the Gila River Indian Community
The amendment to Article XV will remove the Secretary of the Interior from Community Council’s ordinance and resolution approval process. Currently Articles 3 and 15 of the Constitution state that the Secretary of the Interior has the authority to review certain kinds of ordinances and resolutions enacted by the Community Council, including civil and criminal codes, and ordinances regulating tribal membership.
ARTICLE XV POWERS OF THE GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
- A YES vote will remove the secretary of the Interior from the Ordinance and Resolution approval process
- A NO vote will keep the current Constitution
F.A.Qs
Why are we voting on the Constitution?
The Gila River Indian Community formed the Tribal Constitution Reform Project to gather input and suggestions to possible changes to the GRIC Constitution. The TCRP submitted their report in 2011. Community Council voted to have a Special Election based on some of their recommendations.
What are we voting on?
The Community will be voting to amend Article III – Membership, Article XI – Districts and Article XV – Powers of The Gila River Indian Community Council.
When is the Special Election?
The Special Election is Nov. 3, 2020. This in conjunction with the General Election for the Office of Governor, Lt. Governor, Chief Judge and Associate Judges.
Does everyone have to vote?
In order to make changes to the Constitution it has to be put to vote in a Special Election.
Are there any requirements to making changes to the constitution?
Thirty (30) percent of registered voters must vote in the Special Election in order to make the results valid. If that number isn’t reached then the results won’t count.
Where can obtain a copy of the Constitution?
The a copy of the Constitution (with amendments) can be obtained by completing and submitting a document request form to Community Council Secretary's Office.
Amendment PSA's
Why I Vote
Videos
Upcoming dates:
November 3, 2020: GRIC Special Election: Amendments to the Constitution