AKWESASNE ELECTION LAW – AMENDMENT
Development of a Proposed Amendment is Underway
TERRITORY OF AKWESASNE — The Akwesasne Legislative Commission is providing notice that they are beginning the second phase of amendments to the Akwesasne Election Law, following the Akwesasne Legislative Enactment Regulation.
This second phase of amendments to the Akwesasne Election Law will focus on substantive changes to the law. A draft will be developed building off the community comments that were made at previous Information Meetings in 2017. Community members may submit new comments for consideration by the Akwesasne Legislative Commission as they guide the development of draft amendments. The deadline to submit comments and the submission information is as follows:
Deadline: Friday, January 3, 2020
Akwesasne Legislative Commission
c/o Kyrie Ransom, Justice Coordinator
Akwesasne Justice Department
613-575-2250 ext. 2403
kyrie.ransom@akwesasne.ca
15 Akwesasne Street
Akwesasne, Quebec
H0M 1A0
GENERAL NATURE OF AMENDMENT
The Mohawks of Akwesasne enacted a customary law in 1988 ensuring that selection of leadership was in accordance with local community custom. This law was subsequently amended to the current document called the Akwesasne Election Law in 2019. The areas being considered as part of this substantive amendment include, but are not limited to:
• Composition of Council
• Eligibility Criteria of Council
• Eligible Voter Criteria
• Methods of Voting
• Appeal Procedures
• Removal From Council Procedures
AMENDMENT PROCESS
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne initiated the development of a proposed law in passing Mohawk Council Resolution 2019/2020-#263 on November 18, 2019. This community notice is providing an opportunity for community members to provide input before the development of a draft amendment to the Akwesasne Election Law. After the comment period closes, the Akwesasne Legislative Commission will provide direction on the initial amendments to the Akwesasne Election Law. This draft will be sent for a legal review prior to being presented to the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
Once a draft is ready for community consultation, the draft Akwesasne Election Law amendments will be accepted in principle by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. At that time, another community notice will be provided with copies of the document mailed to all households within the Districts and Information Meetings will be held. Community comments on the draft amendment will be collected and considered, with direction provided by the Akwesasne Legislative Commission on how to proceed with changing the document.
The final phase of law development involves a community enactment method, with this enactment being recommended to happen through a referendum vote. All results will be publicly posted and made available to the community.
