Blood Tribe election officials confronted by would-be voters

A crowd hoping to cast ballots for the Blood Tribe chief and council angrily confronted elections officials when told they weren't able to vote.

The election's results that were announced Friday afternoon showed Roy Fox had been re-elected as chief.

Lethbridge police say they were called after 8 p.m. Thursday to an off-reserve voting station at Exhibition Park Lethbridge to respond to a large, disgruntled group of would-be voters.

“They spoke with several people who were concerned they had been waiting for a long time to vote, were told by security the polls were closed, and they needed to leave the property,” stated a Lethbridge police press release.

Police say they were told by elections workers voting time had been extended by one hour, to 8 p.m. after an election website had stated balloting stations on the Blood Reserve and in Lethbridge and Calgary would be closing at 7 p.m.

“An officer was asked to read the bylaw regarding voting hours aloud,” said Lethbridge police.

“Once he explained the polls were not being shut down early, the crowd began to disperse without incident and police left the scene.”

A website message from chief electoral officer Wilton Good Striker said the voting process would be changed by COVID-19 protocols, adding “the Blood Tribe Council is doing all it can to ensure the health and safety of the Blood Tribe members and to provide the opportunity for all eligible voting members to vote in a safe manner.”

Elected to council were Traveller Plaited Hair, Clarence Roy Black Water, Dorothy Theresa First Rider, Peter Big Head, Piinaakoyim Buckskin Tailfeathers, Mickey Anthony Day Rider Jr., Winston Don Day Chief, Diandra Jae Bruised Head, Martin Heavy Head, Richard Red Crow, Martin Patrick Weaselhead and Maria Bernadette Russell.