Polls close and absentee ballots outnumber in-person ballots

Osage Nation Congressman Daniel Boone joined around 40 people at principal chief candidate John Red Eagle’s camp to listen to some blues and feast on hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and chips. Boone thought the Runoff Election Day was a good turnout and that there was a lot of support for all the candidates.

“I think everyone knows who they’re going to vote for at this late date, it’s kind of predetermined,” Boone said. “But, it’s awful nice for the candidates to feed us anyway.”

Election Board Supervisor Lisa Otipoby said 8 p.m. that absentee ballot signatures were still being certified and the count was approximately 1,400 with the in-person voting low at around 946.

In the general election on June 7 absentee ballots totaled 1,370 and the in-person vote was 1,258.

“It’s been slow through the afternoon,” Otipoby said. “I’m hoping it will pick up after 7 p.m. This time during the general election [June 7] we already had people sitting in their lawn chairs [waiting for the results].”

Election staff will count the absentee ballots after the polls close at 8 p.m. along with those cast in person. The ballots are being counted in the congressional chambers. The election results should be announced around 10 p.m. and then the nation will know who the next principal chief and assistant principal chief will be.

Many Osages were sitting in their lawn chairs at Red Eagle’s camp listening to the band. Joe Keene said that the heat was a bummer but overall it had been a fun day.

“[The day had] a good, fun atmosphere,” Keene said. “The heat’s kind of a bummer but everyone’s having fun.”

The heat may have been a factor driving some Osages away from the polls. At 8 p.m. the National Weather Service Web site forecast for Pawhuska was 91 degrees with a heat index of 103 degrees.

The Osage News will post the election results to osagenews.org as soon as they are announced.

Osages enjoy the blues band before the polls close for the nation's Runoff Election July 19. Photo by Shannon Shaw/Osage NewsOsages enjoy the blues band before the polls close for the nation's Runoff Election July 19. Photo by Shannon Shaw/Osage NewsPrincipal Chief Candidate John Red Eagle watches a band perform at his campaign campsite during the July 19 Runoff Election. Seated with him is his brother Congressman Eddy Red Eagle Jr. Seated behind them is Kenny BigHorse Jr. (left) and his brother Assistant Principal Chief Candidate Scott BigHorse. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsCampaign signs for Scott BigHorse and John Red Eagle posted in the campaign campsite area on the government campus on July 19 which was the Nation's Runoff Election Day. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsVoters and their families congregate at Principal Chief Candidate Tim Tall Chief's campaign campsite during the July 19 Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsPrincipal Chief Candidate Tim Tall Chief visits with a voter at his campaign campsite during the July 19 Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsOsage Nation Congressman John Free (left) and Principal Chief Candidate Tim Tall Chief smile for the Osage News camera on July 19 which was the Nation\'s Runoff Election Day. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsVoters socialize at the campaign campsite of Principal Chief Candiate Tim Tall Chief during the July 19 Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsThe campaign campsite of Amanda Proctor in the park during the July 19 Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsOsage Nation Assistant Principal Chief Candidate Amanda Proctor talks with voters, including Congressman Daniel Boone, at her campaign camp during the July 19 Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsOsage Nation Assistant Principal Chief candidate Amanda Proctor visits with voters at her campaign camp during the July 19 Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsVoters stand around and visit while waiting for the July 19 Osage Nation Runoff Election to be announced. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsPeople congregate at the camp of Principal Chief Candidate John Red Eagle on July 19 during the Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsRauk Friend (right) shakes hands with Principal Chief Candidate John Red Eagle on July 19 at his campaign camp during the Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage NewsA band performs at the campaign camp of Principal Chief Candidate John Red Eagle on July 19 Osage Nation Runoff Election. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News