Chris Deschene and his former running mate, Fannie Atcitty, campaigned on the Navajo Nation before he was removed from the ballot. Photo from Facebook
The Navajo Nation was supposed to have a new president by now but it looks like the election won't be held until sometime this fall. Joe Shirley Jr., a former president, was due to face Chris Deschene in the election last year. But Deschene was removed from the ballot because he is not fluent in the Navajo language as required by tribal law.
Navajo Nation presidential candidate Russell Begaye and his running mate, Jonathan Nez. Photo from Facebook
Russell Begaye was then placed on the ballot. But a date for the election was never set and now the Navajo Nation Council is proposing a new schedule that will reopen the presidential race to prior candidates, a list that presumably includes Deschene. "We shouldn't be screening candidates, whether they speak good Navajo or not," Delegate Lorenzo Curley told The Farmington Daily Times. The council passed a separate bill, sponsored by Curley, that would have preserved the Navajo language requirement for presidential candidates. However, voters would determine whether a particular candidate is fluent or not. But Navajo President Ben Shelly, who remains in office despite losing the primary last year, vetoed the measure. He said any changes should be put to a vote of the entire tribal membership. "An overhaul needs to occur to ensure the laws are clear, unambiguous and fair. However, on something as important and decisive as the issues facing our nation today, change needs to be done through consultation and a referendum of the people," Shelly wrote in his veto message.
Joe Shirley Jr., right, and his running mate, Dineh Benally. Photo from Twitter
Meanwhile, Deschene has filed a lawsuit in tribal court to get back on the ballot. He claims that the chief hearing officer who heard the language case was not qualified to serve for the Navajo Office of Hearings and Appeals. Richie Nez was fired from the office last month because he failed to pass a state bar exam. Get the Story:
Shelly rejects latest attempt to change Navajo language fluency requirements (The Farmington Daily Times 1/3)
Navajo Nation Council passes bill to schedule special election dates for the presidency (The Farmington Daily Times 1/1)
Former Navajo Nation presidential candidate Chris Deschene files motion to get back on the ballot (The Farmington Daily Times 12/31)
Navajo presidential hopeful appeals disqualification (AP 12/31)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories:Navajo Nation's highest court dismisses challenge to candidate (12/17)
Appeal set in dispute over Navajo Nation presidential hopeful (11/26)
Complaint against Navajo Nation presidential hopeful dismissed (11/24)
Blog: Play-by-play of election controversy on Navajo Nation (11/21)
Navajo Nation Council fails to override veto on language bill (11/14)
Navajo Nation Council to consider language requirement veto (11/13)
Navajo Nation schedules December 23 presidential election (11/10)
Navajo Nation candidate Russell Begaye names running mate (11/6)
Petition seeks removal of Navajo Nation presidential hopeful (11/4)
Andrew Curley: Election flap exposes troubles in Navajo Nation (11/3)
Navajo Nation postpones presidential vote as legal drama ends (11/3)
Chris Deschene still urging Navajo Nation voters to choose him (10/30)
Navajo Nation president vetoes bill to address language issue (10/29)
Navajo Nation election officials refuse to delay upcoming vote (10/28)
Navajo Nation candidate Chris Deschene won't halt campaign (10/24)
Navajo Nation's top court orders new ballots without candidate (10/23)
Christopher Chavis: Navajo court got it wrong in fluency case (10/22)
Navajo Nation presidential hopeful to be removed from ballot (10/22)
Navajo Nation court still mulling decision in presidential case (10/21)
Top Navajo Nation court holds hearing in presidential dispute (10/20)
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)