Navajo Election Officials have set a date for the tribe’s rescheduled presidential election.
Navajo voters are now scheduled to go to the polls just before Christmas to choose their next president. The Navajo Election Administration has tentatively set the election for Dec. 23.
The election was supposed to coincide with last week’s general election, but the presidential race was postponed after Chris Deschene was disqualified for failing to show he was fluent in Navajo. The decision came after early ballots went out.
Tribal lawmaker Russell Begaye took Deschene’s spot on the ballot, but his candidacy is being challenged. A grievance filed against Begaye alleges financial improprieties and questions his loyalty to the tribe. Begaye said it's a ploy to knock him out of the race. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday on the grievance.
Former President Joe Shirley Jr. is also a candidate in next month’s election.
