A tribal redistricting plan overwhelming approved by the Cherokee Nation General Council has been vetoed by Principal Chief Chad Smith, who accused the council of gerrymandering.
The tribe currently has nine districts, seven of which have two representatives. The other two have one representative each. The legislation vetoed by Smith would have established 15 districts, with one council representative each.
The General Council earlier this month passed the proposal 15-2 over Smith's objections. Councilor Chuck Hoskin Jr. said at the time he was optimistic that a veto would be overturned.
But Smith says the plan isn't likely to sustain a court challenge. In his veto message, Smith says the districts were not divided evenly.
