2025 Tribal Elections

June 28, 2025 Nomination Meeting Results

Official Notice from the Election Committee

A nomination meeting was held, June 28, 2025 for the purpose of nominations for the position of Grievance Committee member #4, due to the resignation of Casie Munson and for the position of Second Chief vacated by Chief Gene Epperson, following the resignation of Chief Kalisha Dixon Pheasant.

For the Grievance Committee member #4 position:

  • Anastasia Dixon was nominated by Kalisha Dixon-Pheasant and seconded by Rhonda Hayworth.

  • Dennis Scott was nominated by Rae Ann Plemmons and seconded by Kerri Angelo.

For the position of Second Chief, Cody Hollenbeck was nominated by Edra Buckmaster and seconded by Darla Woodrum.

  • Due to only one nominee for this position, Cody Hollenbeck was elected to the position of Second Chief by acclamation.

All nominees are pending paperwork, once completed the Election Committee will schedule a Special Election.


Nomination Meeting 6/28/25

From the Ottawa Tribe Election Committee:

A Nomination Meeting for a Grievance Committee position and the 2nd Chief position will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 1:00pm.

Location:

Ottawa Peoria Building

2331 E Eight Tribes Trail

Miami, OK 74354 

The sole purpose of the meeting will be to take nominations for the recently vacated positions for:

  • Second Chief – term expires 2028

  • Grievance Committee member #4 – term expires 2026

All candidates must have their names placed in nomination and passed before their names can appear on the election ballot. Tribal members must bring their tribal ID’s with them to count towards a quorum for the meeting.

Respectfully,

Samantha Davis

Chairman, Election Committee

Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma

2025 Election Results

The results of the 2025 Annual Election are as follows:

2nd Chief  - Gene Epperson 

2nd Councilperson - Kerri Angelo

Grievance Committee Member - Danielle Mayfield

Grievance Committee Member (elected by acclamation) Lloyd Cox

Referendum Question  - Did not receive the required Ottawa Council participation to pass -  752 votes needed to pass.

Yes: 111

No: 28 

Per the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma Constitution, members have 10 days from the election date to contest the results.   

Election Firsts

For the first time, the 2025 General Election ballot will contain a referendum authored by First Councilman Cody Hollenbeck and Grievance Committee member Ryan Angelo.  During the January 8, 2025 Business Committee meeting, the referendum was approved to appear on the 2025 General Election ballot.  The referendum can be read in its entirety on page 15 of the newsletter (see button below).

Another first for our tribal elections, this year tribal members will have the opportunity to cast their votes digitally.  In January, the Business Committee entered into contract with Redo Voting, a company who has developed a secure digital voting platform.  The election committee will hold training sessions on March 25, 2025 and April 8, 2025 at 6pm at the Ottawa Peoria Building in Miami, OK.  Zoom links will be available for both training classes.  Tribal members are encouraged to attend one of the meetings to understand the process. 

Continue scrolling for the list of 2025 Candidates. For Candidate Bios, please click on the Election Newsletter link below.

****Absentee Ballots****

Due to a print delay, in addition to a hard copy digital ballot, we now have the ability to email your ballot to you. So you can vote immediately.

  • If you already requested your digital ballot, but would prefer an email, email: electioncommittee.oto@gmail.com with your name and email by noon on Friday, April 4th. Please allow 24 hours for your email, the process has to go through two people.

  • If you requested a digital ballot, and still want a hard copy to vote - you do not need to do anything.

  • If you requested a paper ballot, you do not need to do anything.

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REQUESTED YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT BUT WOULD LIKE YOURS EMAILED PLEASE PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE REQUEST.

Absentee ballots can be requested by postal mail, email (electioncommittee.oto@gmail.com), or by filling out the form in the link above. Absentee ballots requested to date will be mailed Friday, April 4, 2025. Digital ballot training class is still Tuesday, April 8th @ the Ottawa Peoria Building and on Zoom. The ballots are ready to accept your vote, you need your tribal identification number and last name.

-Ottawa Tribe Election Committee

2025 Candidates

Second Chief:

Beryl Gene Epperson (incumbent) 

Dava Dear

Second Councilman: 

Mikal Werner (incumbent)

Kerri Angelo 

Dennis Scott

Grievance Committee Member #1:

Jason Garrison (incumbent)

Danielle Mayfield

Grievance Committee Member #2: 

Eulene Roberts exp. 2025 and Lloyd Cox elected by acclamation

Grievance Committee Member #3: 

Ryan Angelo elected at special election

2025 Nomination Meeting

The Nomination Meeting was held on January 30, 2025, for the purpose of taking nominations for the offices of Second Chief, Second Councilman, and two Grievance Committee positions. The meeting was held at the Ottawa-Peoria building in Miami, OK.