Background
Since August 2021, Chief and Council have been engaging with the Members of Muscowpetung to discuss moving away from the Indian Act and towards Muscowpetung’s own Custom Election Act for the election of Chief and Council. Chief and Council have now finalized the proposed Custom Election Act. The next step is for Muscowpetung to hold a vote, to decide if the Custom Election Act will become law.
What is changing?
The proposed Custom Election Act includes important changes to Muscowpetung’s elections. Some important features of the Custom Election Act include:
- Chief and Council’s term in office would change from two years to four years.
- Voters that want to use mail-in ballots must request mail-in ballots, and other new rules would be introduced for mail-in ballots to fight against vote-buying.
- New rules would allow the use of electronic voting in elections.
- Candidates for Chief will have to pay $1,000 to run in an election, and Candidates for Councillor will have to pay $500 to run in an election.
- New rules for appeals that are intended to discourage appeals without merit.
- Voters may opt-in to receive campaign communications from Candidates.
- Chief and Council may extend their term in office if it is necessary to prevent the spread of disease (e.g. COVID)
How do I learn more?
A Community Meeting was held at Muscowpetung School on Monday, December 13th. At the meeting, Muscowpetung’s lawyers, MLT Aikins LLP, gave a presentation and answered questions from Members. A video of the presentation is available to view below. If after watching the presentation you have any questions about the proposed Custom Election Act, please contact Muscowpetung’s legal counsel, and visit the Q & A page on this website by clicking this link.
| Sonia Eggerman, MLT Aikins LLP seggerman@mltaikins.com (306) 347-8412 | Jeremy Barber, MLT Aikins LLP jbarber@mltaikins.com (306) 347-8622 |
How do I vote?
The ratification vote will be held using online and telephone voting, with in-person support available. Voting will start on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, and will continue until midnight on Thursday, January 6, 2022. You may vote any time during this period.
- To vote online, visit https://msn-custom-election-act.simplyvoting.com/. Use your Treaty Number and Date of Birth to log in and cast your vote.
- To vote by telephone, call 1-866-933-6926. Use your Treaty Number and Date of Birth to verify your identity and cast your vote.
- To get in-person support, visit the Muscowpetung School between 9 am and 8 pm on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, OR Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Voting kiosks and in-person support will be available to help you cast your vote.
- Please note that Simply Voting Inc. has been hired as an independent third party to provide electronic and telephone voting services for the Ratification Vote.
What are my options?
When you go to vote online or call in to vote by telephone, you will be asked this question: Should Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation adopt the proposed Custom Election Act?
You will then be asked to select one of two available options:
Option 1: Yes, adopt the Proposed Act
Option 2: No, do not adopt the Proposed Act