Weller, White want investigation of Apache County primary

Posted by Navajo Times | Sep 8, 2016 | Politics |

CHINLE

Tom White Jr.

Two disgruntled Apache County supervisors are questioning the outcome of the Aug. 30 Arizona primary elections, leading them to vote against approving the canvass and asking instead for an independent investigation.

District II Supervisor Tom White Jr., who lost the Democratic nomination to Navajo Nation Council Delegate Alton Joe Shepherd (Jeddito/Cornfields/Ganado/Kinlichee/Steamboat) by 168 votes, explained that machine malfunctions may have contributed to his loss which is one of the reasons why he, along with District III Supervisor Barry Weller, have asked Apache County Manager Delwin P. Wengert to investigate.

“I have concerns with the way the election was held,” said White. “I know we had problems in Fort Defiance. The machines were not working and we had people coming out saying their votes weren’t being counted.”

Weller and White joined forces to question District I Supervisor Joe Shirley, Jr.’s use of county facilities to hold country western dances and other events and inquired where the revenues from those events ended up.

Shirley won the primary election with less than 43 percent of the vote, the rest being split between his two opponents, D.L. Sells and Paul Guy Jr.

“I have multiple concerns of the election results,” said Weller, who did not run for reelection. “There’s been inappropriate handling of county resources, accusations of inappropriate handling of ballots that potentially influenced the outcome of the election, inappropriate use of county vehicles … and illegal use of a county facility, which concerns me.”

Weller asked for an independent investigation before approving the canvass of the election, noting it could be paid for with the general funds and emergency funds from the county.