Section 10. Weighted Vote. In order to provide equal representation to all citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a census survey of the Tribal citizenship, based upon the information located within the official citizenship rolls, shall be initiated by Tribal Council for the purposes of determining a census of the citizenship and of the Townships. The results of the census will determine the weight of the votes to be cast by each Tribal Council Representative and shall be conducted prior to the 2025 general election and prior to the general election each ten years thereafter to determine the number of Tribal citizens affiliated with a Township. After the regular 2025 general tribal election and each ten years thereafter, the Tribal Council, at its first regular meeting, shall determine the total number of votes to be cast in the Tribal Council and shall allot a voting authority to each Council Representative. The voting weight allotted to each Council Representative shall be determined by computing the mathematical ratio, fraction or proportion that exists between the number of Tribal citizens who are counted in each Township and the total number of Tribal citizens. The Cherokee Supreme Court shall have sole jurisdiction to resolve any dispute pertaining to the voting weight attributed to a Tribal Council Representative.
(January 2022 draft + commentary to view the corresponding explanation.)