Supporters of Navajo Nation presidential candidate Joe Shirley Jr. and his running mate, Dineh Benally. Photo from Facebook
The Navajo Nation Supreme Court has once again rejected an attempt to block next week's presidential election. The justices previously ordered the election to take place on April 21. President Ben Shelly and Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates accused the court overstepping its authority and sought a reconsideration, which was denied on Monday, The Farmington Daily Times reported.
Supporters of Navajo Nation presidential candidate Russell Begaye and his running mate, Jonathan Nez. Photo from Facebook
Joe Shirley Jr. and Russell Begaye have been campaigning despite objections to the vote. The Navajo Election Administration also has been preparing despite a shortage of funds but the court ordered $317,000 to be transferred to the agency, the paper said. The agency is also working on another election that will take place on June 9. The referendum will determine whether to amend the language requirement for presidential and vice presidential candidates. Current law states that candidates "must fluently speak and understand Navajo." Legislation CMA-06-15, the law that authorized the election, omits the word "fluently" and states that language "ability shall be determined by the Navajo voters when he/she casts a ballot." If voters approve the change, former presidential candidate Chris Deschene could run for the tribe's top office again. Although he came in second in the primary last year, he was disqualified because he has acknowledged that he doesn't speak Navajo "fluently" as the law requires. Get the Story:
Navajo Nation Supreme Court denies motion filed by president, council (The Farmington Daily Times 4/14)
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