Comanche Tribal Council recall (2020)
| Comanche Tribal Council recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
LaNora Parker Robert Tippeconnie June Sovo Diana Gail Sovo-Doyebi Clyde Narcomey Ron Redelk |
| Recall status |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2020 Recalls in Oklahoma Oklahoma recall laws Special district recalls Recall reports |
An effort to recall seven members of the Comanche Tribal Council was not brought before a special general council meeting in 2020. Recall supporters needed to collect 1,266 signatures by September 16, 2020, in order for the effort to move forward, but they were only able to collect 560.[1]
The recall effort began in June 2020. Chairman Willie Nelson Sr., Vice-chair LaNora Parker, Secretary Treasurer Robert Tippeconnie, and committee members June Sovo, Diana Gail Sovo-Doyebi, Clyde Narcomey, and Ron Redelk were included in the effort.[2]
To read about other recall efforts related to the coronavirus and government responses to the pandemic, click here.
Recall supporters
The recall effort was started by Eleanor McDaniel, a Comanche tribal elder. The recall petition alleged the tribal members had neglected their duty by "not providing for the common well-being of the Comanche Nation and all its members during a global pandemic." McDaniel said that the tribe's leadership failed to disburse COVID-19 funds and made it difficult to communicate during the shutdown.[2]
McDaniel also said that members of the tribe's Business Committee had "brought disrepute upon the Comanche Nation," by signing a new gaming compact with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). “Signing the illegal compact with Stitt was seen as rogue actions to destroy the united initiative of 33 Indigenous Nations to protect Indian Gaming in Oklahoma from the detrimental actions of Governor Stitt and according to the Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma Mike Hunter the illegal compact is not authorized by the state’s Tribal Gaming Act,” McDaniel said.[2]
The gaming compact was struck down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in a 7-1 ruling on July 21, 2020.[3]
Recall opponents
Chairman William Nelson Sr. defended the business committee's actions. "This petition has no merit and is just another in a long line of recalls filed by Eleanor McDaniel to cause disruption among our tribe’s membership," Nelson said. "Her fight against any and all Comanche Nation administrations has been ongoing for more than three decades, as evidenced by 23 recalls filed over the last 30 years."[4]
The Lawton Constitution said that the tribe was prohibited from making direct financial payments from the $27 million it received from the CARES Act.[2]
Path to the ballot
Recall supporters had to collect 1,266 signatures from eligible Comanche voters in 90 days to bring the matter before a special general council meeting.[2] They were only able to collect 560 signatures during that time period, so the effort did not move forward.[1]
Ballotpedia covered 35 coronavirus-related recall efforts against 94 officials in 2022, accounting for 13% of recalls that year. This is a decrease from both 2020 and 2021. COVID-related recalls accounted for 37% of all recall efforts in both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, there were 87 COVID-related recalls against 89 officials, and in 2021, there were 131 against 214 officials.
The chart below compares coronavirus-related recalls to recalls for all other reasons in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Lawton Constitution, "Comanche recall petitions fail, effort underway for BIA to call secretarial election," September 25, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Lawton Constitution, "Tribal member seeks signatures for Comanche recall effort," June 19, 2020
- ↑ The Lawton Constitution, "Comanche recall effort continues drive for hearings," July 23, 2020
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Recall petititions circulating against leaders of two Oklahoma tribes," July 10, 2020
