Election to oust Cherokee Freedmen delayed

An election to deny tribal citizenship to the Cherokee Freedmen has been delayed a third time.

Last March, the tribe's top court said the Freedmen were entitled to citizenzhip under the Cherokee constitution. But Chief Chad Smith and others believe membership should be restricted to those with Indian blood.

After receiving a petition to change the constitution, Smith scheduled a special election. But it was delayed twice amid a legal challenge filed by a Freedmen descendant.

The challenge has since been resolved by the Cherokee Supreme Court in Smith's favor. He set the election for March 3