The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will vote next month on constitutional amendments that could pave the way for a casino on tribal land in southeastern North Carolina.
The special election is set for Tuesday, June 23, the tribe announced Thursday.
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The Tribal Council voted last month to put several changes to the constitution on the ballot, just months after receiving long-sought federal recognition. The tribe has territory in Robeson, Hoke, Scotland and Cumberland counties.
One constitutional change would give the council “the authority to approve any gaming compact negotiated by the Tribal Chairperson, to confirm the Tribal Chairperson’s nomination of all members to the board of any Tribal gaming regulatory body and any Tribal gaming enterprise, and to enact tribal ordinances that permit, license, regulate or otherwise govern gaming activities, consistent with Tribal, Federal, and other applicable laws.”
The amendments require a simple majority of the vote. The tribe will close its rolls on May 22 in preparation for the vote. The online enrollment period will end May 13. Tribal citizens must have an updated enrollment card to vote in the election.
Another change would expand the definition of the territory of the Lumbee Tribe to include “any additional lands acquired by the Tribe or by the United States on behalf or for the benefit of the Tribe.”
The Lumbee bought 240 acres of land off Interstate 95 in Robeson County late last year. The tribe paid at least $6 million for the land, which could be used for a casino.
“What form of economic development we take early on in this new era, whether gaming is a part of our future or not, will be determined by the will of the Lumbee people,” Lubee Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery said. “If and when our people vote for gaming, this 241-acre tract could serve as the site of a casino and resort, accompanied by a shopping outlet and additional amenities such as a golf course, a high-end driving range, a water park, or similar attractions.
“If our people vote against gaming, the land can be developed into a business and industrial park designed to attract major employers,” Lowery continued. “With the land placed into trust, existing laws and policies create powerful incentives for corporations to invest in our community. Either of these options can lead to thousands of jobs and be an economic boom not just for our Tribal territory but for this entire region of the state.”
The tribe will hold a federal recognition celebration on May 16 at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a key proponent of federal recognition, is expected to be on hand.
