192 Navajo Nation candidates disqualified from ballot

By Donovan Quintero
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK

A total of 192 candidates for various positions within the Navajo Nation, including chapter presidents, school board members, and grazing officials will be disqualified from the upcoming general election scheduled for Nov. 5.

This potential disqualification stems from a newly enacted tribal law mandating that all candidates submit their campaign expense reports by Aug. 9.

The legislation, known as CJA-08-24, was passed by the Navajo Nation Council to amend existing campaign finance provisions within the Navajo Election Code. This law revises subsections 201 through 209 and 404 in Title 11 of the Navajo Nation Code, introducing strict penalties for candidates who fail to comply with the reporting requirements.

Among the significant changes are provisions that could lead to disqualification for those who do not file their reports on time or who exceed the newly raised campaign expense limits. The law has increased the permissible limit from $1.50 to $2.00 per registered voter, a move that aims to level the playing field among candidates while enforcing stricter accountability.

The Navajo Board of Election Supervisors, or NBOES, has been empowered to enforce these new rules, which include penalties for failing to file expense reports, exceeding expense limits, and submitting fraudulent statements. Violators could face not only disqualification from the election but also hefty fines and potential imprisonment.

Tribal candidates have expressed concerns over the impact of these regulations on the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of transparency and integrity in campaign financing. The disqualification of nearly 200 candidates could significantly alter the landscape of the upcoming election, raising questions about representation and voter choice within the Navajo Nation.

As the election date approaches, candidates and their supporters are urged to ensure compliance with the new requirements to avoid any disruptions to their campaigns. The situation remains fluid, with many awaiting further guidance from the election board on how to navigate the amended regulations.

Candidates have until Monday to file a grievance with the Navajo Nation Office of Hearings and Appeals.

The Navajo Times is watching closely as this story unfolds, with the implications of these changes likely to resonate throughout the community and beyond.