Special Election to be held at 37 Navajo chapters on Tuesday

WINDOW ROCK

Tonia Burbank, a representative from the Navajo Nation Election Administration, or NNEA, announced on Friday that a special election will be held at 37 chapters across the Navajo Nation on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

“December 10 is coming. Poll sites open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.,” Burbank stated. She explained that the election will take place only at certain chapters within the NNEA’s jurisdiction, not all 110 chapters.

The upcoming special election is a result of chapter-level candidates being disqualified back in August. Many of these candidates contested their disqualifications, taking their cases to the Navajo Nation Office of Hearings and Appeals. Burbank noted that eight of those candidates even escalated their grievances to the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.

Members of the Naschitti Chapter will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate for the position of Chapter Grazing Committee Member.

The ballot features two candidates: Virginia B. Winters and Leroy J. Livingston. Both candidates bring their unique perspectives and qualifications to the race, aiming to secure the trust and votes of the Naschitti Chapter’s constituents.

Candidates and the positions they’re running for at their respective chapters are listed:

Fort Defiance Agency

Coyote Canyon Chapter

• Chapter grazing committee member: Isaiah Tom Tsosie

Indian Wells Chapter

• Chapter secretary-treasurer: Linda Nelson

Eastern Agency

Counselor Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Laura C. Lopez

Tóhajiileehé Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Nora J. Morris

Thoreau Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Lisa L. Hudson
• Chapter secretary-treasurer: Judy K. Platero

Nageezi Chapter

Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School/Hanaa’dli Community School/Dormitory representatives (vote for two):

• Ervin Chavez
• Priscilla Willeto

Ramah Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Monica L. Yazzie and Chancey K. Martinez

Ramah Navajo School Board representatives (vote for four):

• Gjermundson C. Jake
• Victoria Henio
• Carolyn Coho
• Sarah Adeky

Ojo Encino Chapter

• Chapter president: George Werito Jr. and Taylor Pinto

Whitehorse Lake Chapter

• Chapter president: Artlee Chavez and Lucita Nolan

Smith Lake Chapter

• Chapter president: Marie Talk
• Chapter vice president: Heather E. Yazzie-Kinlacheeney

Pinedale Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Sylvia Largo
• Chapter secretary-treasurer: Clara J. Daye

For Mariano Lake Community School representative: Clara J. Daye

Huerfano Chapter

For land board (vote for two):

• Daniel Armstrong
• Saraphine Woody
• Veronica Pablo-Tso

Northern Agency

Red Mesa Chapter

• Chapter president: Herman Farley

Beclabito Chapter

• Chapter president: Albert Paul

Western Agency

Coalmine Canyon Chapter

• Chapter president: Benjamin Nez and Phillip Zahne

Tó Nanees Dizi Local Government

• Chapter Grazing Committee Member: Daniel Williams

Tsídii Tó’ii Chapter

• Chapter president: Mitzi M. Begay
• Chapter vice president: Tommy Leroy Tsosie
• Chapter secretary-treasurer: Lavinia Leann Cody

Chinle Agency

Chinle Chapter

• Chapter president: Paul Guy Jr.
• Chapter vice president: David Yazzie
• Representative for Many Farms High School: Harry Claw

Many Farms Chapter

• Chapter president: Charlotte Jane Begaye and Katherine O. Arthur
• Chapter vice president: Jacqueline Begaye

Tselani/Cottonwood Chapter

• Chapter president: Dwayne Billise

Lukachukai Chapter

• Chapter president: Paula Begay, Teresa A. Thompson

Tse Ch’izhí Chapter

• Chapter president: Jack Lee Begay
• Representative for Many Farms Community School: Jay R. Nez

Black Mesa Chapter

• Chapter president: Wilson Gilmore

Bahastl’a’á Chapter

• Chapter secretary-treasurer: Rita Silago

Ganado Chapter

• Farm board member: Kim Johnson

Klagetoh Chapter

Chapter secretary-treasurer: Maureen Woodman

Navajo Nation Council delegate:

• Arbin Mitchell
• Raymond Smith, Jr.
• Olin C. Begay

Steamboat Chapter

• Commissioners (vote for five):
• Jefferson Kee
• Eunice J. Begay
• Donald Benally
• Juliuson Bitsui
• Teddy H. Begay
• Randall Jim

Wide Ruins Chapter

• Navajo Nation Council Delegate:
• Arbin Mitchell
• Raymond Smith Jr.
• Olin C. Begay

Crystal Chapter

• Chapter president: Laverne A. Johnson

Chapter Grazing Committee member:

• Louise Q. Mark
• Blaine Wilson

Farm board member: Darrell Stewart

Houck Chapter

• Chapter president: James Watchman Jr. and Ronald Daw

Oak Springs Chapter

Hunter’s Point Boarding School representative:

• Laurita Begay
• Gloria A. Hale
• Winona M. Slim

Red Lake Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Loberta Redhouse and Richard Tsosie

Farm board members (vote for two):

• Gary Shurley
• Philene Tyler

Crystal Boarding School representative: Loberta Redhouse

Tse Si Ani Chapter

• Chapter vice president: Jackie Yazzie Jr. and Margaret Yazzie

Low Mountain Chapter

• Cottonwood Day School representative: Detroit A. James

Nahata Dziil Chapter

• Commissioners (vote for five):
• Lorenzo Curley
• Jane Rose Benally
• Loretta J. Bahe
• LaVonne Tsosie
• Nora Louise Pahi
• Melinda Bigman Joe

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. to registered Navajo voters who vote at the chapters conducting special elections. Voters are instructed to mark their ballots by completing the arrow pointing to their candidate of choice.

Burbank clarified that only registered voters in the affected chapters will be able to participate, as voter registration remains closed until the election process is completed. A total of 37 chapters are set to hold the special election on Tuesday.