Runoff for Mississippi Choctaw chief set for Aug. 25

CHOCTAW, Miss. (AP) – A new runoff election for tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is now scheduled for Aug. 25.

Tribe spokeswoman Misty Dreifuss says in a news release that registered tribal members will cast their ballots at a polling place operated by the Local Community Election Committee. The committee is appointed by the Tribal Election Committee.

She says voters must bring a form of identification.

Last week, the Tribal Council declined to confirm election results of a June 30 runoff between incumbent Chief Phyliss J. Anderson and former chief Beasley Denson.

In the June 30 runoff, Anderson had 1,907 votes to Denson’s 1,745 votes.

In a 2011 election, Anderson defeated Denson, who was chief at the time. Runoff results in that election were overturned twice.