§ 5-111. Certification of candidates – Contest of candidacy.
A. All persons found by the Board to meet all requirements for candidacy shall be certified as a candidate. The names of all certified candidates shall be posted in a public place within twenty-four (24) hours of certification.
B. Any prospective candidate for Principal Chief or Assistant Principal Chief shall not be certified as a candidate for office if the prospective candidate:
1. Has been convicted of a felony;
2. Has been disqualified to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in the Osage Nation by a judgment in a removal trial, pursuant to Art. XII, Section 2; or
3. Is running for Principal Chief, and has served five full terms in that position, plus any initial partial term fulfilled as the result of a vacancy.
C. Any prospective candidate for Osage Nation Congress shall not be certified as a candidate for office if the prospective candidate:
1. Has been convicted of a felony;
2. Has been disqualified to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in the Osage Nation by a judgment in a removal trial, pursuant to Art. XII, Section 2; or
3. Has served five full terms in that position, plus any initial partial term fulfilled as the result of a vacancy.
D. Only qualified voters may file a contest of candidacy. Any contest of candidacy shall be filed with the Office, and a public hearing shall be held to determine the validity of said candidacy. Any such contest shall be filed within three business days of the posting of the names of all certified candidates, and a hearing on such a contest shall be held within three business days of the contest’s filing. The verdict of the Board shall be final. If necessary, an amended list of all certified candidates shall be posted in a public place within twenty-four (24) hours of the verdict. ONCA 17-107, eff. Oct. 4, 2017; ONCA 21-119, eff. Oct. 27, 2021.