BREAKING NEWS: Apache County judge extends voting hours at nine polling sites amid lawsuit against Apache County
Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Voters wait in line at the polls in Many Farms, Ariz., on Nov. 5.
KAYENTA
The polls have closed across the Navajo Nation, except for nine communities in Apache County.
An Apache County Superior Court judge has ordered nine polling sites to remain open for an additional two hours today, allowing residents of Lukachukai, Lupton, Rock Point, Cottonwood, St. Michaels, Wheatfields, Dennehotso, Fort Defiance, and Chinle to cast their votes until 9 p.m.
This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the Navajo Nation against Apache County officials, alleging violations of voting rights that have hindered thousands of residents from exercising their constitutional right to vote. The lawsuit claims that numerous polling places failed to comply with required operational hours, opening late and suffering from inadequate ballot supplies.
The complaint, led by Indian Legal Clinic attorney Patty Ferguson Bohnee and Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch, cites negligence by Apache County Recorder Larry Noble and Elections Director Rita Vaughan. It highlights that approximately 43,000 registered voters live in the Apache County segment of the reservation.
Voters reported excessive wait times—some up to three hours—at locations like Lukachukai and Rock Point, with many leaving without ballots due to malfunctioning voting machines. The lack of accessible voting options has further complicated the situation, prompting calls for immediate action to ensure voter access.
The Navajo Nation’s lawsuit sought a temporary restraining order for extended polling hours, enabling those arriving after 7 p.m. to vote provisionally, a demand that has now been met through the court’s ruling. As communities rally to ensure every vote counts, the extension aims to mitigate the disenfranchisement that many have experienced throughout this election.
Speaker Crystalyne Curley applauded the decision but added it doesn’t fulfill the Nation’s request for remedy.
“The court ruling doesn’t fulfill all of the Navajo Nation’s requests for remedy, but it allows certain poll locations to remain open until 9pm to allow voters to cast provisional ballots,” she said.
She urged Navajo people to remain vigilant and to vote if they live in one of the nine communities.
“To our Navajo people, please stay strong and remain in line to cast your ballots and let your voices be heard. We stand with you, and we are not letting up on defending your right to vote. Please reach out to relatives or friends who were turned away or did not get a chance to vote earlier today due to the issues and notify them of the extended hours,” said Curley.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow