In preparation of the Tribal Council elections on July 10, 2023, the Election Committee approved Official Absentee Ballots on June 29, 2023, in accordance with Title 11 of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. The deadline for requesting absentee ballots was June 28, 2023, and staff mailed the last absentee ballots on June 30, 2023. Our beloved Chairman passed away on the night of June 30, 2023,– he was running unopposed for the Chairperson position.
On July 3, 2023, Executive Staff recommended, and Council agreed the Tribe will delay elections for the Chairperson position out of respect to the family of our beloved Jeromy Sullivan, and the entire Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. All absentee ballots received in compliance with Title 11, will be valid for the votes of the Council Person positions II and III only, no votes will be considered or counted for the Chairperson position.
Again, Jeromy was running unopposed for the Chairperson position—it is too soon to fill the vacancy and void he left behind. The Tribe will hold a special election later this year for the Chairperson position. In the interim, Vice Chairman Chris Tom will continue to serve as the acting chair until a special election is held, for which we will give plenty of notice.
Please continue to pray for Chairman Sullivan’s family and our entire community.
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Council,
Chris Tom
Renee Veregge
Amber Caldera
Donovan Ashworth
Matt Ives