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No Election Date---Yet

By AP

Tahlequah, OK – Okla tribal chief hasn't set new election date yet

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith hasn't scheduled a special election yet to decide who will be the tribe's next chief.

Spokesman Mike Miller said Thursday that Smith wanted to wait until after the Cherokee Nation Council met to consider possible changes to election law. The council has planned a meeting for Aug. 5.

The tribe's Supreme Court threw out the results of the June 25 election, saying it couldn't be determined with certainty whether Smith or challenger Bill John Baker received more votes.

Smith's term expires on Aug. 14. Miller says deputy chief S. Joe Crittenden will serve as acting principal chief until a new chief is elected and sworn in.