PORT ANGELES — Frances Charles, who serves as the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal chairwoman, has been re-elected to the tribal council for another three-year term.
The formal name of the council is the business committee.
Charles received 106 of 258 votes, or 41.08 percent of votes cast during the tribal general election May 7.
Her seat was the only one open.
Charles was appointed to the tribal council in 1993 and elected to the council in 1994.
She was first elected chairwoman in 2005 and has been re-elected each year through 2015.
The annual election for tribal chair will be held May 28.
Two other tribal members, Serena L. Barkley and Edward V. Johnson, also had strong support.
Barkley received 66 votes, or 25.58 percent, and Johnson had 55 votes, or 21.31 percent.
Other tribal members receiving votes were Michelle L. Charles, 14; Anthony Fernandes, 7; and Jesse Charles, 6.
Four tribal members each received one write-in vote: George Charles, Kenneth Elofson-Gilbertson, Dennis R. Sullivan and Catherine Youngman.
Five ballots were invalidated.
In addition to Frances Charles, the current members of the council are Anthony Charles, Joseph Turrey, Steve Robideau and Russell Hepfer.
Before her election to tribal council, Frances Charles worked with the Forest Service for 12 years as a crew boss leader and worked with the helicopter lead position.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
