Consensus reached on final questions, Election Law amendments move ahead

09/24/2014

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) announced that consensus was reached on the final three questions on proposed amendments to the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke Election Law at last evening’s hearing.

Consensus was reached to maintain the number of Chiefs at twelve (12). A proposal to create a pre-election review board was rejected, as it was felt that ad hoc or advisory committees could be struck through regulation, if necessary. The final amendment, which reached consensus – but with two participants objecting – will formalize a post-election appeals process in which a justice/judge would have fifteen (15) days after an appeal is received to render a decision, with a 45-day limit to provide a written judgment.

Approximately twenty (20) community members were in attendance. The participants agreed to continue the meeting for an additional half-hour in order to complete the agenda.

The proposed amendments will now be put into the hands of the drafting team, which includes several former electoral officers. Once they complete the draft, it will be posted for a 30-day review/feedback period, to be followed by second round of hearings.