The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission has announced that the filing period opens June 2 and continues through June 4 for the 2014 General Elections.

Candidates must file between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the election secretary’s office in the Government Services building, 2015 Lonnie Abbott Industrial Boulevard, Ada, OK.

Four legislative seats and one seat on the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court are up for election.

Legislative seats up for election are Seats 3 and 4 of Pontotoc District, Seat 2 of Pickens District and Seat 3 of the Tishomingo District.

Seat 3 of the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court is also up for election.

Legislative candidates must be registered Chickasaw voters at least 25 years of age. Legislative candidates must also be residents of the Chickasaw Nation for at least one year and of their respective district for at least six months immediately preceding the election.

Legislators must remain residents of their elected district during their tenure of their office. Term of office is three years.

Filing fees are $500.

Judicial candidates must be registered voters of the Chickasaw Nation at least 30 years of age. Judges must reside within the Chickasaw Nation during their tenure of office.

Term of office is three years.

Filing fees are $500.

Candidates must bring verification of physical and mailing address, such as a utility bill or homestead exemption and filing fee.

Upon filing, candidates must complete a financial disclosure statement.  Statements are also due at the end of every month during the candidate’s active campaign period.

Candidates will receive an electoral packet containing election rules and regulations, the Chickasaw Constitution, financial disclosure forms, biography form for the Chickasaw Times, and watcher form.

Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony.  Background checks are conducted on all candidates.

Primary election is July 29 and run-off election is August 26, if needed.

For further assistance, please contact Rita Loder, election secretary at (580) 310-6475 or toll free at 1-888-661-0137.