The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission announces filing period opens June 2 and continues through June 4, 2008 for the 2008 General Elections.

Candidates must file in the election secretary’s office, located in the Government Services building located at 2015 Lonnie Abbott Industrial Boulevard, Ada, OK. Candidates may file between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Seats to be filled are Legislative Seat 3 of Pontotoc District; Seat 4 of Pontotoc District;

Seat 2 of Pickens District; and Seat 3 in the Tishomingo District.

Seat 3 of the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court is also up for this year’s election.

Legislative candidates must be registered Chickasaw voters, residents of the Chickasaw Nation for at least one year and of their respective district for at least six months immediately preceding the election; must remain residents of their elected district during the tenure of their office and must be at least 25 years of age. Term of office is three years. Filing fees are $500.

A judicial candidate must be a registered voter of the Chickasaw Nation; resident of the Chickasaw Nation for at least one year preceding the election; must remain a resident during tenure of office; and must be at least 30 years of age. Three-year term of office. Filing fees are $500.

Candidates must bring verification of physical and mailing address, such as a utility bill or homestead exemption, filing fee and upon filing must complete a financial disclosure statement. Statements are also due at the end of every month during the candidate’s active campaign period. Candidates will receive an electoral packet containing election rules and regulations, the Chickasaw Constitution, financial disclosure forms, biography form for the Chickasaw Times, and watcher form.

Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony. Background checks are conducted on all candidates.

Primary election is July 29 and run-off election is August 26, if applicable.

For further assistance, please contact Rita Loder, tribal election secretary toll free at 1-888-661-0137.