Announcement:
On April 13, 2024, at a Regular Session of Council, the Council passed a resolution setting July 12, 2024, as the date of a referendum to determine whether the Seneca People support the creation and operation of a Seneca Nation police department at this time. The referendum is also intended to provide guidance as to whether the public supports entering deputation or jurisdictional arrangements with outside governments that would permit the Seneca Nation to exercise full criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians, as current federal case law has limited Native Nations’ authority over non-Indians.
To ensure that the Seneca People are afforded ample opportunity to obtain information and ask questions, the Seneca Nation will hold four public meetings and generate informational materials for Seneca voters. A schedule of the public meetings and timing of the informational materials is provided below for your reference.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
- June 4, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Allegany Council Chambers
- June 5, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Cattaraugus Council Chambers
- June 25, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Cattaraugus Council Chambers
- June 26, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Allegany Council Chambers
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
- May 20, 2024, publication of schedule, referendum question, and short summary of efforts
- June 10, 2024, publication of Q&A from first pair of meetings, explanation of referendum question
- June 28, 2024, publication of Q&A from second pair of public meetings and important information
REFERENDUM QUESTIONS
QUESTION A:
Do you support the Seneca Nation creating and operating a police department?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
QUESTION B:
Do you support the Seneca Nation entering into agreements with local, state, and/or federal authorities for the Seneca Nation to exercise criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
QUESTION A
A “YES” vote would mean that the Seneca Nation Council may devote substantial resources toward exploring the creation of a police department and the development of criminal laws and procedures and rules of evidence. The Council would also begin to identify necessary amendments to the Seneca Nation’s Constitution to ensure the safeguarding of Seneca rights and liberties and implement court reforms.
A “NO” vote would mean that the Seneca Nation would not take any action in the near or immediate future to establish a Seneca Nation police department.
QUESTION B
A “YES” vote would indicate public support for the Council to consider discussions with outside law enforcement agencies – i.e., county, state, and federal law enforcement – to enter into deputation or jurisdictional agreements. Any such agreements would be for the purpose of permitting the Seneca Nation to exercise more criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians than would otherwise be available without such agreements under applicable federal law.
A “NO” vote would mean that the Seneca Nation would not initiate discussions to enter into deputation or jurisdictional agreements with outside law enforcement agencies. A “NO” vote, however, would not prohibit the Seneca Nation from seeking alternative arrangements to increase the outside law enforcement presence on Territory.
