Joe Shirley Jr., at microphone, and his running mate, Dineh Benally. Photo from Facebook

Voters of the Navajo Nation are at the polls today to choose a new leader.

A tribal judge threw a hiccup in the process on Friday and put a halt to the presidential vote. But the Navajo Nation Supreme Court once again stepped in and ordered the election to move forward as planned.

Voters will choose between Joe Shirley Jr., a former two-term president, and Russell Begaye, a former delegate to the Navajo Nation Council. Both candidates have been campaigning despite attempts by other politicians on the reservation to delay the election in order to resolve the language fluency requirements for candidates.

Russell Begaye, seated, and his running mate, Jonathan Nez Photo from Facebook

"We believe the people want to see change in leadership. They want to see the nation move forward," Begaye told The Farmington Daily Times.

"We're going to hit the ground running," Shirley told the paper.

Polls are open from 6am to 7pm Navajo time. The winner will be sworn in on May 12.

Get the Story:
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to determine Navajo Nation presidency, election board (The Farmington Daily Times 4/21)
Navajo Supreme Court orders election to be held Tuesday (The Navajo Times 4/20)
Navajo high court says voters will choose president Tuesday (AP 4/20)
Navajo Election: How We Got Here? (Indian Country Today 4/20)
Navajo To Vote For President April 21 (Fronteras 4/20)
Begaye, Nez are ready for change (The Farmington Daily Times 4/19)
Shirley, Benally say they are ready to lead (The Farmington Daily Times 4/19)

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation candidates enter final stretch of bumpy campaign (4/17)
Navajo Nation Supreme Court rebuffs attempt to block election (4/14)
Navajo Nation presidential election still on tap despite meddling (4/13)
Navajo Nation presidential candidates call for April 21 election (4/2)
Navajo Nation leaders object to presidential election on April 21 (4/1)
Navajo Nation Supreme Court orders April 21 presidential vote (3/23)
Rhianan Curley: Navajo Nation leaders destroy trust of people (3/20)
Navajo Nation Council considers funding for presidential election (03/13)
Editorial: Navajo Nation set to choose new president on April 21 (03/03)
Navajo Nation Supreme Court issues decision in election dispute (02/23)
Navajo Nation Supreme Court to issue ruling in election dispute (02/12)
Supporters of Chris Deschene still upset with handling of election (01/16)
Editorial: Enough is enough with Navajo Nation election drama (1/15)
Navajo Nation leader starts second term despite election loss (1/14)
Agreement reached for leader of Navajo Nation to stay in office (1/12)
President of Navajo Nation remains in office amid election delay (1/8)
Controversy continues over Navajo Nation presidential election (1/5)
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)