# 25 CFR § 81.5: What informal review is available to a tribe or petitioner when anticipating adopting or amending a governing document?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.5

## Section

- **Citation:** 25 CFR § 81.5
- **Heading:** What informal review is available to a tribe or petitioner when anticipating adopting or amending a governing document?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 25—Indians > CHAPTER I—BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR > SUBCHAPTER F—TRIBAL GOVERNMENT > PART 81—SECRETARIAL ELECTION PROCEDURES > Subpart C—Provisions Applicable to All Secretarial Elections

## Text

A tribe that plans to adopt or amend a governing document or a spokesperson for a petitioner may, but is not required to, submit the proposed document with a request for informal review to the Local Bureau Official.
(a) During the informal review:
(1) Bureau personnel will help the tribal government or petitioner spokesperson in drafting governing documents, bylaws, charters, amendments and revocations, explain the Secretarial election process, and provide guidance on methods for voter education, such as informational meetings.
(2) The Local Bureau Official will review the proposed document and will offer technical assistance and comments to the tribe or petitioner spokesperson, including but not limited to guidance on whether any of the provisions of the proposed document or amendment may be contrary to applicable laws.
(b) The Bureau will provide technical assistance for a petition only upon request of the spokesperson. Bureau personnel will provide a courtesy copy to the tribe's governing body of all correspondence regarding technical assistance to the petitioners. The spokesperson will be responsible for obtaining the approval of the tribal members it represents on changes to the content of the petition.

## Nearby sections

- [25 CFR § 81.1 § 81.1 What is the purpose of this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.1.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.2 § 81.2 When does this part apply?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.2.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.3 § 81.3 Information collection.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.3.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.4 § 81.4 What terms do I need to know?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.4.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.5 § 81.5 What informal review is available to a tribe or petitioner when anticipating adopting or amending a governing document?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.5.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.6 § 81.6 How is a Secretarial election requested?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.6.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.7 § 81.7 What technical assistance will the Bureau provide after receiving a request for election?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.7.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.8 § 81.8 What happens if a governing Federal statute and this part disagree?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.8.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.9 § 81.9 Will the Secretary give deference to the Tribe's interpretation of its own documents?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.9.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.10 § 81.10 Who may cast a vote in a Secretarial election?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.10.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.11 § 81.11 May a tribe establish a voting age different from 18 years of age for Secretarial elections?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.11.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.12 § 81.12 What type of electioneering is allowed before and during Secretarial election?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.12.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.13 § 81.13 What types of voting assistance are provided for a Secretarial election?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.13.md)
- [25 CFR § 81.14 § 81.14 May Secretarial elections be scheduled at the same time as tribal elections?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-81.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.