WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation Board of Election Supervisors updated the Naabik'íyáti’ Committee on the upcoming general election and the disqualification of 192 candidates from positions on the general election ballot on Sept. 26.
The decision to remove the 192 candidates follows Resolution CJA-08-24, which requires candidates to file their campaign expense reports within 10 days of any Navajo Nation election, including primaries. Failure to file disqualifies candidates for five years.
According to the Chair of the Board of Election Supervisors, Melvin Harrison, 99 grievances have been filed with the Office of Hearing and Appeals.
Harrison emphasized that the election administration worked with OHA to keep the general election on Nov. 5. This decision aims to encourage more Navajo voters to participate while also addressing candidate grievances.
“Changing the date of the general election isn’t debatable,” he said. “We have data that shows Navajo voters do not come out for closely scheduled elections.”
Harrison explained that candidates who submitted their expenditure reports will be included on the ballot. Candidates who are disqualified will remain on hold until OHA decides on their grievances. Those positions will be considered for a special election after the general election on Nov. 5.
“With this signed resolution, we are moving forward with printing the ballots, removing the disputed positions,” Harrison said.
The Naabik'íyáti’ Committee voted 13 in favor and two opposed to accept the report from the Navajo Nation Election Administration.
