Bills before Navajo Nation Council call for changes to qualifications, presidential special election By Noel Lyn Smith The Daily Times Updated: 01/20/2015 08:08:55 PM MST FARMINGTON — Bills proposing changes to the presidential special election and the qualifications for elected offices have been offered for consideration by the Navajo Nation Council. Delegate Dwight Witherspoon, who represents Forest Lake, Hardrock, Kítsíílí, Piñon and Whippoorwill chapters in Arizona, is sponsoring a bill to select an interim tribal president from among the council membership. The delegate would have to be qualified to serve as president, including speaking and understanding the Navajo language, and would serve until a new president is elected. The bill also directs the Navajo Election Administration to receive assistance from the Office of Legislative Counsel and the Navajo Nation Department of Justice to draft legislation to amend the election code with procedures for addressing offices not filled by a general election. Another bill sponsored by Witherspoon proposes to have Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly continue his service as president until a new president is elected and sworn into the office. Witherspoon is also sponsoring legislation to request $317,891 in supplemental funding from the Unreserved Undesignated Fund Balance so the election administration can pay for the special presidential election. The money would be used to pay for 10 temporary full time positions, mileage, meeting expenses, supplies, building rentals and advertising. The fund balance is currently $18.2 million, according to the Office of the Controller. Another bill sponsored by Witherspoon calls for rescinding, repealing and rendering null and void the resolution that authorized a special run-off election for the presidency on June 2 and a special general election on Aug. 4. Shelly signed this resolution into law on Jan. 10. Delegate Leonard Tsosie, who represents Baca-Prewitt, Casamero Lake, Counselor, Littlewater, Ojo Encino, Pueblo Pintado, Torreon and Whitehorse Lake chapters in New Mexico, is sponsoring legislation to amend certain sections of the Navajo Election Code. The amendments would allow elections to be called by the council or by the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors and allow for write-in candidates to be added to the ballot. The bill also proposes amending the qualifications for the presidency, the vice presidency and council delegates, as well for seats on land boards, farm boards and district grazing committees. If candidates are disqualified because they do not fluently speak the Navajo language, they can run as write-in candidates if they meet all other qualifications for the office. If the write-in candidate receives a sufficient number of votes to qualify for the general election, that persons name must appear on the ballot, the bill proposes. Delegate Nathaniel Brown, who represents Chilchinbeto, Dennehotso and Kayenta chapters in Arizona, is sponsoring a bill that focuses on the Navajo language qualifications for elected tribal offices. In Browns bill, a candidates level of proficiency in the Navajo and English languages would be determined by the voters. Each bill has been assigned to the council for final authorization and could be considered during the winter session, which starts Jan. 26.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 19:32:54 +0000
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