Chris Deschene and his running mate, Fannie Atcitty, campaign on the Navajo Nation. Photo from Facebook

The Navajo Nation Supreme Court heard arguments today on a petition to remove presidential candidate Chris Deschene from the ballot.

Deschene was disqualified because he is not fluent in the Navajo language as required by tribal law. The supervisors for the Navajo Board of Election, however, voted to keep him on the ballot so opponents are asking the court to force the agency to take action.

Meanwhile, the Navajo Nation Council met today for its fall session. An emergency bill on the agenda reaffirms the Navajo language requirement but allows voters to determine whether a candidate meets the test.

Get the Story:
Navajo Supreme Court mulls Deschene's candidacy (KOB 10/20)
Navajo Nation Council starts fall session on Monday (The Farmington Daily Times 10/20)
Special meeting for Navajo Board of Election Supervisors focuses on petition to remove Deschene from ballot (The Farmington Daily Times 10/17)
Navajo Presidential Race Shaken By Language Gap (NPR 10/16)

Earlier Navajo Nation Supreme Court Order:
Tsosie v. Deschene (September 26, 2014)

Related Stories:
Navajo presidential candidate Chris Deschene stays on ballot (10/14)
Navajo presidential candidate to dispute removal from ballot (10/10)
Navajo presidential candidate loses ruling over language ability (10/9)
Navajo Nation won't delay election despite presidential dispute (10/2)
Navajo presidential candidate in doubt over fluency in language (9/29)
Navajo Nation might postpone election due to legal challenge (9/25)
Navajo Nation court to hear language issue affecting candidate (9/24)
Appeal filed over Navajo language ability of presidential hopeful (9/17)
Navajo Nation presidential candidate a target over fluency issue (09/11)
Navajo voters oust incumbent president Ben Shelly in primary (08/27)