Voter disenfranchisement in Navajo Nation

By Robert Bettis
Navajo Times

This year, as I delved into the stories of voter disenfranchisement in Navajo Nation, I was struck by the resilience of the Diné community amid systemic failures. Covering public hearings, speaking to advocates, and hearing personal accounts of frustration gave me an even greater appreciation for the determination of Navajo voters. At the same time, these experiences left me grappling with the glaring inequities that persist in our electoral system.

One story that stuck with me was from Leonard Gorman. For years, he had always voted at the same place in Nazlini. But this year, he was told he had to vote in Canyon de Chelly instead. He wasn’t the only one—other voters across Navajo Nation had similar issues. Some were sent to the wrong polling places, faced long wait times, or dealt with broken voting machines.

At a public hearing in Chinle, people shared their experiences in a system that was unprepared to adequately serve them. They talked about long lines, machines that didn’t work, and polling places that were hard to get to, especially for elders or people with disabilities who were often forced to wait in long lines out in the cold before they could vote. These problems made me wonder: are these just mistakes, or does the system not care enough about Navajo voters?

One of the biggest problems was the lack of Navajo language help. Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act mandates that voting materials be available in the Navajo language. Yet, voters reported inadequate translations and a lack of Navajo-speaking poll workers. Some translations were riddled with errors or culturally inappropriate terms, compounding confusion. For instance, the mistranslation of ballot items like abortion rights, described as “washing up the baby,” revealed a failure to respect and understand Navajo cultural contexts.

These shortcomings are not just logistical failures—they’re violations of rights. Every voter deserves the ability to cast their ballot without fear of confusion, delay, or miscommunication. When voters like Gorman or elders in Chinle are forced to question the integrity of their electoral process, it undermines the very foundation of our democracy.

But amid the frustration, there’s hope. Community advocates like Priscilla Weaver with Apache County Democrats are stepping up to address these systemic issues. Weaver’s efforts to create educational courses for Navajo voters – focusing on ballot terminology and election procedures – are a step in the right direction. Their willingness to support and empower voters reminds us that change begins with collective action.

As a journalist, I aim to report facts, but this year’s stories left me with a personal resolve. Voter disenfranchisement in Navajo Nation is not a new issue, but it’s one that demands urgent attention. We must hold counties accountable for providing accessible and fair elections. We must ensure that elders, Navajo language speakers, and every eligible voter can participate without unnecessary hardship.

This year’s elections revealed the cracks in the system, but they also highlighted the strength of our community. The calls for accountability, reforms, and respect for Navajo voters must not go unanswered. As we look ahead to future elections, I hope we can build a system that truly reflects the democratic ideals we all value.

It’s time to move beyond mere acknowledgment of these issues and demand actionable change. After all, every vote matters, and every voter deserves to have their voice heard.