Law | Politics

Bill seeks referendum on term limits for Navajo Nation president






Joe Shirley Jr., a former two-term president of the Navajo Nation, is seeking another term in office. Photo from Facebook

The Navajo Nation Council is considering a bill that would put a term-limit referendum on the ballot.

Tribal law imposes a two-term limit on the office of the president. The Navajo Nation Supreme Court, however, has ruled that the restriction only applies to two consecutive terms.

The bill would change that by barring a person from serving more than two terms as president during his of her her lifetime. If it's approved by the council, the referendum would go before voters this November.

If the referendum passes, it goes into effect in 2018. That means Joe Shirley Jr. can continue his campaign this year for a third, non-consecutive term as president.

Get the Story:
Navajo voters could decide whether to create presidential term limit (The Farmington Daily Times 8/5)

Navajo Nation Supreme Court Decision:
Todacheene v Shirley (July 9, 2010)

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