FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation Council has passed a bill to conduct a special election for the tribal presidency next summer, months after a deadline set by the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.

The Council approved the legislation Tuesday on an 11-1 vote during a special session in Window Rock, Arizona. The bill calls for a June 2 primary election and an Aug. 4 general election, the Daily Times (http://goo.gl/YVJM4J) reported.

The presidential race was thrown into turmoil before the tribe's Nov. 4 general election when candidate Chris Deschene was disqualified due to a ruling that he wasn't fluent in the Navajo language.

The election-scheduling bill's sponsor, delegate Leonard Tsosie, prepared an election calendar that includes a March 3 date when candidates could start file their paperwork to run.

Under the bill, the 17 candidates who ran in the Aug. 28 primary election could run again and have the $1,500 filing fee waived, but new candidates would have to pay the fee.

Pro Tem Speaker Lorenzo Bates told the Council there is no available funding to conduct the special election before the Jan. 31 deadline set by the tribal Supreme Court.

Once the election scheduling bill is presented to President Ben Shelly, he has 10 days to sign or veto it.

Delegate Katherine Benally said there needs to be an election to preserve the rights of voters.

Attorneys for Deschene on Monday asked that an order disqualifying him from the race be thrown out after it was discovered that the hearing officer who issued it also did not qualify for his job.

The case against Deschene stemmed from grievances filed by two of his primary election opponents. They cited a Navajo law that requires anyone seeking the tribe's top elected office to be fluent in Navajo. It is the first time a candidate has been challenged under the law, which was enacted in the early 1990s.

Deschene has said he is proficient in speaking Navajo and that he proved it on the campaign trail.

Amid the turmoil, the general election for the tribal presidency, which was scheduled for Nov. 4, was put on hold.

Unless additional candidates file, Russell Begaye will face former tribal President Joe Shirley Jr. for the top elected post.

Navajo Nation Council delegates have since considered legislation that sought to eliminate the language requirement. Last week, delegates unanimously passed a bill that would keep the language requirement in place but would not require the government or courts to enforce it.

The bill would not apply retroactively, meaning current presidential candidates would not be affected.

 

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Navajo-council-Oks-bill-on-special-vote-for-5989247.php