Ute Mountain Ute tribal members will elect a tribal chairman, two council delegates, and a White Mesa, Utah representative during the Oct. 14 election this Friday.
Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center in Towaoc and at the Recreation Center in White Mesa, Utah.
The seats up for election are Tribal Chairman Manuel Heart, council member Priscilla Blackhawk-Rentz, council member Regina Lopez Whiteskunk, and White Mesa representative Malcolm Lehi.
Candidates for chairman are incumbent Manuel Heart and challenger Harold Cuthair. Candidates for council seats are Angelita Berry, Colleen Cuthair-Root, Bradley Hight, Prisllena Rabbit, Priscilla Blackhawk-Rentz and Lyndreth Wall and Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk.
For the White Mesa representative, the candidates are incumbent Malcolm Lehi and challenger Elaine Cantsee.
White Mesa voters will only vote for chairman and the White Mesa representative. For the Colorado portion of the tribe, the two candidates with the highest vote counts will earn delegate seats.
Absentee balloting for the Oct. 14 election will be allowed for nonresident voters and voters who will not be able to show up in person at the polling place on the day of election to cast their vote. The deadline to request an official notarized absentee ballot form in writing has passed.
Candidates traditionally hold campaign dinners to discuss their views on issues and plans if elected.
Three events have been announced.
Council candidate Colleen Cuthair-Root will host a campaign dinner on Monday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. at the Towaoc Community Center.
Council candidate Lyndreth Wall will hold a campaign dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Towaoc Community Center.
Tribal chairman candidate Harold Cuthair will hold a campaign dinner at the Ute Mountain Casino Bingo Hall on Wednesday Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.
The Tribal Government Offices will close at noon on Election Day, Oct. 14. Regular office hours will resume at 8 a.m. on Oct. 17.
