Navajo Nation presidential candidate to be removed from ballot


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

The Navajo Nation Supreme Court has ordered election officials to remove presidential candidate Chris Deschene from the ballot.

Deschene was disqualified due to his lack of fluency in the Navajo language, a requirement of tribal law. But the supervisors for the Navajo Board of Election refused to take him off the ballot so challengers filed a petition that the tribe's highest court ruled on today.

The decision means Russell Begaye, who came in third in the tribe's primary, will appear on the ballot. Joe Shirley Jr., a former president who speaks Navajo fluently, remains in the race.

Get the Story:
Tribe's High Court Orders Candidate off Ballot (AP 10/22)

Navajo Nation Supreme Court Order:
Tsosie v. Deschene (October 22, 2014)

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

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