The following law shall be known as the "Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribal Election Code" (code).
A. 
The purpose of this code is to ensure that NHBP elections are:
(1) 
Consistent, fair, efficient, conducted in harmony with MnoBmadzewen, and guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings; and
(2) 
Conducted in accord with NHBP constitutional requirements.
B. 
Unless otherwise specified, all NHBP elections are subject to the same rules as Tribal Council elections.
C. 
In carrying out its constitutional authority to govern NHBP elections, the Election Board shall be guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings:
(1) 
Wisdom.
(2) 
Love.
(3) 
Respect.
(4) 
Bravery.
(5) 
Honesty.
(6) 
Humility.
(7) 
Truth.
D. 
The NHBP membership, including current elected officials, candidates, voters, and other persons participating in the election process, shall also be guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings and MnoBmadzewen in performing any activities.
The Tribal Council hereby promulgates this code under the authority delegated to it by Article V, Section 2(b), of the NHBP Constitution. The code sets forth the rules and regulations the Election Board deems necessary to properly conduct both regularly scheduled and special elections pursuant to the NHBP Constitution.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABSENTEE BALLOT
A ballot used by an eligible voter to cast a vote in a NHBP election from a location other than at the officially established polling location or locations on election day. This document is mailed to all eligible voters at each voter's address on record with the NHBP Enrollment Office, and must be returned by the eligible voter and received by the Election Board no later than 5:00 p.m. one (1) business day before the election day.
BAND, TRIBE, or NHBP
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.
BUSINESS DAY
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, excluding recognized federal or NHBP holidays on which the NHBP government is closed.
CALENDAR DAY
Every day in a month, including weekends and United States and NHBP holidays. When the term "day" is used without specifying calendar or business day, it shall mean "calendar day."
CAMPAIGN
A concerted, organized effort or group of activities in support of, or opposition to, a candidate or prospective candidate for election, a referendum, an initiative, a constitutional amendment, or a recall.
CAMPAIGN MATERIAL
Any document, brochure, advertisement, poster, flier, mailer, yard sign, sticker, button, website, or other material that is intended to promote or oppose a particular candidate (including prospective candidates) or group of candidates for an NHBP election.
CAMPAIGNING
Organized, concerted, or regular activities taken in connection with a campaign, such as canvassing voters, giving speeches or presentations to groups of voters, and all other activities which may reasonably be considered as intending to persuade voters.
CANDIDATE
A petitioner or nominee for an elected position whose name is placed on the ballot by the Election Board after successful application, or someone who seeks to become a candidate.
CONSTITUTION
The NHBP Constitution.
CONTRIBUTION
A monetary or in-kind donation to a campaign.
DEFAMATORY STATEMENT
A materially false statement made with knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for its truth.
ELECTION
An NHBP general or special election.
ELECTION BOARD
Comprises five eligible voters of the NHBP who are not Tribal Council members and who are appointed by the Tribal Council pursuant to Article V, Section 2(a), of the Constitution.
ELECTION BOARD CLERK
An individual appointed by the Election Board responsible for assisting the Election Board in carrying out certain clerical and ministerial tasks associated with conducting an election.
ELECTION CHALLENGE
A dispute that directly challenges the integrity or accuracy of the outcome of an election, based on a violation of this code or NHBP law, and seeks a new election.
ELECTION DISPUTE
A dispute, other than an election challenge, that involves an alleged or proven civil or criminal violation of the Election Code or other violation of NHBP law related to a campaign.
ELECTION DISPUTE COMPLAINT
A document that the Election Board lodges against a person accused of committing a civil or criminal violation of the Election Code or other violation of NHBP law related to a campaign, and that is investigated and prosecuted at a hearing before the Election Board.
ELIGIBLE VOTER
A duly enrolled member who has or will have attained the age of 18 years on the date of an election.
ENROLLMENT OFFICE
The functional department within the NHBP government with administrative responsibility for maintaining the records relating to enrollment.
FINAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
A form disclosing final campaign contribution numbers that is filed with the Election Board within five (5) business days after the date of the general election.
GENERAL ELECTION
A regularly scheduled election, held once every two (2) years in the month of April in conjunction with the annual meeting of the General Membership, to fill vacant or expiring Tribal Council seats.
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION
A contribution that includes any item or personal service donated by a member in support of a particular candidate or slate of candidates, including, without limitation, paper or stamps for mailing, hosting space or food charges for a fund-raising event, or public relations and campaign consulting advice.
INITIATIVE
A process by which voters may petition Tribal Council for enactment of a proposed resolution, statute, or other action permitted under the NHBP Constitution.
INITIATIVE PETITION
A petition that contains signatures and attaches a proposed resolution, statute, or other action that a member submits to the Election Board for Tribal Council or membership consideration.
MALFEASANCE
Includes:
A. 
A conviction or a plea of guilty or nolo contendre regarding any felony criminal offense or any other criminal offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;
B. 
A substantial violation of the code of ethics; or
C. 
Misconduct in office that threatens the integrity or public image of the Board.
MEMBER
A person meeting the requirements of the Enrollment Code and named on the membership roll pursuant to Article III of the NHBP Constitution.
MEMBERSHIP
All of the NHBP members.
MISFEASANCE
Includes any substantial or repeated failure to exercise authority or discharge responsibilities in conformity with this Election Code or the NHBP Constitution.
NHBP EMPLOYEES
Employees of the NHBP government or other NHBP enterprises, including the FireKeepers Hotel and Casino.
NHBP NEWSLETTER
The Turtle Press or other current NHBP newsletter of general circulation.
NONFEASANCE
Includes the persistent failure to perform the duties of the office, including failure to attend a significant number of meetings.
PRELIMINARY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
A form filed with the Election Board disclosing all campaign contributions received up to twenty-one (21) business days before the date of the general election, and filed with the Election Board no later than fourteen (14) business days before the date of the election.
PRIMARY ELECTION
An election held before a general or special election, in which all or some eligible voters take part that narrows down a field of candidates for Tribal Council and restricts the freedom of NHBP voters to vote for the candidate or candidates of their choice.
REFERENDUM
A process by which the Tribal Council may present to the membership any proposed statute or resolution for enactment by majority vote of the eligible voters.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT or RESIDENTIAL LOT
A unit or lot leased or assigned to NHBP members, such as apartment units (including common areas) and/or lots leased or assigned to NHBP members under a NHBP-administrated rental or homeownership program.
SEVEN GRANDFATHER TEACHINGS
The custom and traditional teachings of the NHBP people that are to guide individual members, the Election Board and the NHBP government as a whole: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth.
SPECIAL ELECTION
An election, other than a regularly scheduled general election, to vote on:
A. 
A vacant Tribal Council seat;
B. 
A referendum;
C. 
An initiative;
D. 
A constitutional amendment;
E. 
A recall petition; or
F. 
Some combination of these.
SPOILED BALLOT
Any ballot that is torn, damaged, mismarked, unreadable, invalid, or that is otherwise deemed to violate the ballot instructions or NHBP law.
TRIBAL ENTERPRISE
A building or other real property owned by the NHBP or a NHBP-chartered business entity (owned now or in the future), including the FireKeepers Hotel and Casino.
TRIBAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING
Any building or structure housing the office of any NHBP government employee, or at which NHBP government or community meetings are held, NHBP government program activities are conducted, or NHBP member services are delivered.