CONCHO – Cheyenne and Arapaho voters Tuesday agreed to change the tribes’ blood quantum requirements so that individuals with 1/8 Cheyenne or Arapaho blood can become enrolled tribal members.
That’s down from the current ¼ requirement, and equates to having one greatgrandparent who was fullblooded Cheyenne or Arapaho. The change passed with about 64% of voters in favor.
The blood quantum vote came during an important Cheyenne & Arapaho primary election, during which the field of candidates was also narrowed for a variety of tribal leadership positions, including governor.
Incumbent Gov. Reggie Wassana and his Lt. Gov. Gilbert Miles received more than 60% of the votes in a field of four, and will advance to the general election against Wilma Blackbear and Bobbie Hamilton. The Blackbear/Hamilton ticket received 16.41% of the primary vote, edging Cornell Sankey and Jeffery Elizondo by 54 votes.
Other candidates who will advance, and their primary vote totals, include:
Cheyenne District 1 Election Commissioner
• Sandra Hinshaw: 110
• Frederick Blackbear: 65
Cheyenne District 2 Legislator
• George Woods: 138
• Frances White Thunder: 107
Cheyenne District 3 Election
Commissioner
• Ramona Welch: 176
• Jason Hines: 122
Cheyenne District 4 Legislator
• Byron Byrd: 63
• Delfred White Crow: 37
Arapaho District 1 Legislator
• Debra Woolworth: 56
• Diane Willis: 53
Arapaho District 2 Legislator
• Kendricks Sleeper: 221
• Juaquin Lonelodge: 86
Arapaho District 3 Election Commissioner
• Patricia Smothers: 61
• Doris Thunderbull: 38
Watonga is in District 1, and Geary is in District 2.
The general election will be held on Nov. 2.