It's primary day in parts of Minnesota

Posted at 9:27 AM on April 3, 2012 by Dan Gunderson
Filed under: Government, Tribal issues

MPR file photo Dan Gunderson

Tuesday April 3rd is primary election day for several northern Minnesota American Indian tribes.

There are a lot of choices for voters. A quick perusal of the primary ballots for tribal chair shows 18 candidates at Mille Lacs, 11 at Leech Lake, nine at Fond du Lac, six at Bois Forte and 5 at White Earth. There are also long list of candidates for tribal council positions. The primary narrows the field of candidates ahead of a June general election.

The Red Lake Nation has a May election, and the four Dakota tribes in southern Minnesota have elections later in the year.

Most Minnesota nations are governed by a Reservation Business Committee which consists of a Chair, a Secretary Treasurer and Council members who represent designated reservation districts.