The Chickasaw Nation Election Commission announces the filing period opens June 1 and continues through June 3, 2026, for the 2026 General Elections.
Candidates must contact the election secretary’s office, at (580) 310-6475 to schedule an appointment or to obtain additional information. The election secretary’s office is located in the government services building, 2015 Lonnie Abbott Industrial Boulevard, Ada, Oklahoma.
Candidates may file between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Seats up for election include four legislative seats and one seat on the Supreme Court. Legislative seats to be filled are Seats 3 and 4 of Pontotoc District, Seat 2 of Pickens District, and Seat 3 of Tishomingo District. Seat 3 of the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court is also up for election this year.
Legislative candidates must be registered Chickasaw voters at least 25 years of age, 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 the tenure of their office. Term of office is three years. Filing fees are $1,000.
A Supreme Court candidate must be a registered voter of the Chickasaw Nation at least 30 years of age. Justices must be residents of the Chickasaw Nation during their three-year term of office. Filing fees are $1,000.
Candidates must bring verification of physical and mailing address, such as a utility bill, homestead exemption, automobile registration, driver’s license or passport which displays candidate’s physical address, 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 a watcher form.
Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony. Background checks are conducted on all candidates. Primary election is July 28, 2026, and run-off election is August 25, 2026 if applicable.
For further assistance, please contact Jerri Martin, Election Secretary, toll free, at 1-888-661-0137.
THE CHICKASAW NATION TRIBAL ELECTION
2026 PRIMARY ELECTION SCHEDULE
June 1-3:
Candidate filing period (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the election secretary’s office).
June 5:
Challenge to candidacy ends at 5 p.m.
June 8th:
Drawing for position on the ballot (1:30 p.m. at the election secretary’s office).
Candidates may pick up printouts or flash drive.
June 8:
Last day to submit photo and biography to “Chickasaw Times” (by 4 p.m.).
Press release distributed for candidates.
June 25:
Ballots mailed to voters who reside out of the contiguous 48 states.
July 7:
Voter registration closes (Noon).
July 8:
After noon, candidates may pick up updated printouts or flash drive.
July 9:
Ballots mailed to ALL qualified voters.
July 23:
Last day to appoint a watcher.
July 28:
2026 Primary Election (last day to return ballots; no later than 10:30 a.m.).
Ballot tabulation begins at 11 a.m.
Unofficial results posted immediately.
Press Release made to public.
July 28:
Voter registration re-opens, if no run-off election.
July 31:
Recount period ends.
Oct. 1:
Oath of Office Ceremony (11 a.m.)