Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 25 : Section 713e


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 713e. Membership rolls; voting rights of member

    (a) Membership roll established and opened
      The membership roll of the tribe is established and open.
    (b) Criteria governing eligibility
      (1) Until the first election of the tribal governing body is held
    pursuant to section 713d(d) of this title, any living individual
    may be enrolled on the membership roll of the tribe if - 
        (A) that individual's name was listed on the final membership
      roll of the tribe published on April 6, 1956, in volume 20,
      number 101, Federal Register, pages 3636 through 3642;
        (B) that individual was entitled to be on the membership roll
      of the tribe on August 13, 1954, but was not listed; or
        (C) that individual is a descendant of an individual, living or
      dead, described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and possesses at least
      one-fourth degree of blood of members of the tribe, living or
      dead, or individuals who are or would have been eligible to be
      members under this paragraph.

      (2) After the first election of the tribal governing body is held
    pursuant to section 713d(d) of this title, the provisions of the
    constitution and bylaws adopted in accordance with section 713d(a)
    of this title shall govern membership in the tribe.
    (c) Procedures for verification of eligibility
      (1) Before the election of the members of the Interim Council is
    held pursuant to section 713c(b) of this title, verification of (A)
    descendancy, for purposes of enrollment, and (B) age, for purposes
    of voting rights under subsection (d) of this section, shall be
    made upon oath before the Secretary whose determination thereon
    shall be final.
      (2) After the election of the members of the Interim Council is
    held pursuant to section 713c(b) of this title, but before the
    first election of the members of the tribal governing body is held
    pursuant to section 713d(d) of this title, the verification of
    descendancy and age shall be made upon oath before the Interim
    Council, or its authorized representative. An individual may appeal
    the exclusion of his name from the membership roll of the tribe to
    the Secretary, who shall make a final determination of each such
    appeal within ninety days after such an appeal has been filed with
    him. The determination of the Secretary with respect to such an
    appeal shall be final.
      (3) After the first election of the members of the tribal
    governing body is held pursuant to section 713d(d) of this title,
    the provisions of the constitution and bylaws adopted in accordance
    with section 713d(a) of this title shall govern the verification of
    any requirements for membership in the tribe. The Interim Council
    and the Secretary shall deliver their records and files and any
    other material relating to the enrollment of tribal members to such
    tribal governing body.
      (4) Not less than sixty days before the election under section
    713d(a) of this title, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal
    Register a certified copy of the membership roll of the tribe as of
    the date of such publication. Such membership roll shall include
    the names of all individuals who were enrolled by the Secretary,
    either directly under paragraph (1) or pursuant to an appeal under
    paragraph (2), and by the Interim Council under paragraph (2).
    (d) Voting rights of member
      Each member who is eighteen years of age or older shall be
    eligible to attend, participate in, and vote at each general
    council meeting. Each such member may nominate candidates for any
    office, run for any office, and vote in any election of members to
    the Interim Council and to such other tribal governing body as may
    be established under the constitution and bylaws adopted in
    accordance with section 713d of this title.



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