A tribal court judge says he won't call a special runoff election on Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, clearing the way for the tribal chairman election to proceed at the end of the month.

Avis Little Eagle, tribal vice chairwoman, appealed the outcome of the July primary election, saying some voters were unfairly denied absentee ballots and others voted without reservation residency.

In an official recount Little Eagle lost the primary election for tribal chairman by one vote to chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder.

His Horse Is Thunder will run against former tribal chairman Charles Murphy, who is currently an at-large member of the tribal council. The general election is Sept. 30.

Election manager Dellis Agard said Little Eagle has now exhausted her legal remedies, with the possible exception of an appeal to the tribe's supreme court, which only meets quarterly.

Agard said tribal court judge B.J. Jones held a hearing Thursday and reconvened the election commission Friday and directing all members to vote on Little Eagle's complaint of election misconduct.

The election commission voted to uphold the recount results. In on order signed Monday, Jones denied Little Eagle's request for runoff between herself and His Horse Is Thunder, or to be named a candidate in the general election, Agard said.

- Lauren Donovan