Navajo Nation voters. Photo by Caleb Hoover / Twitter
Harlan McKosato discusses the election drama on the Navajo Nation as voters finally head to the polls to choose a new president:
The Navajo Nation is in a tug-of-war that goes beyond just politics. The struggle is about more than just language fluency. In some ways it’s about the old guard and keeping traditions. Living in the heart of the Southwest for more than two decades now makes me feel qualified to offer my observations. I don’t have a dog in the fight in the upcoming special election for Navajo President and Vice President, or any Navajo election for that matter. This has become an unprecedented election for the Navajo Nation. For the first time ever the general election is happening in the springtime. Also the Navajo Nation Council is at odds with the Navajo Supreme Court over whether a referendum on the fluency issue should be held before a special election. On Friday, Window Rock District Court Judge Carol Perry agreed with lawmakers and former Navajo Board of Election Supervisors when she ruled in favor of a temporary restraining order to stop tomorrow’s election. Once again, the election is up in the air but Edison Wauneka, director of the Navajo Election Administration, insists the special election will be held as scheduled even if it means him being held in contempt by Judge Perry. The Navajo Nation legislative Spring Session begins today. According to a spokesperson for the Navajo Nation Speaker of the Council, the session will be called for a recess either at the end of the day Today or Tuesday morning if the election is held. That has never occurred.Get the Story:
Harlan McKosato: On Eve of Election, Navajo Administration Forges On (Indian Country Today 4/20)
Join the Conversation
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)