The unofficial 2026 Petersburg Indian Association election results are in. Tribal members re-elected Carol Martinez to a one-year term as council president, and elected Stephanie Silva to a two-year tribal council seat. Martinez and Silva were the only candidates running for spots on the tribal council this year, leaving two council member seats unfilled.
This year’s election had a significant decrease in candidates compared to previous years. Last year, 11 candidates and two write-ins ran for six available seats. The 2024 election had nine candidates running for five seats.
The number of votes this year was also low. Martinez received 15 votes, and Silva received 13. In last year’s election, which had a high turnout, Martinez won with 39 votes.
The final total of ballots cast will be published ahead of the election canvassing meeting, which will take place at the PIA offices on Wednesday, January 14, at 5 p.m.
The tribal council has one month to fill the two remaining vacant council seats. If the council does not fill the seats within one month, the president will have one month to fill the spots. The individuals who temporarily fill those seats will remain on the tribal council until the next election.
The next PIA tribal council meeting will be on Wednesday, January 21, at 5 p.m.
