HERE AT NAVAJO ELECTION BOARD MEETING:
During the Reports section of the Navajo Election Board agenda, election supervisor Lenora Fulton says that she’s been receiving phone calls and visits from voters that are encouraging the Board to continue with the election as is.
Board President Wallace Charley says that he’s also received numerous telephone calls that came from former Navajo Nation Chairman Peter MacDonald, former Navajo Nation Vice President Ed T. Begay, Council delegates and voters who all encouraged the Board to continue with the elections as is.
Supervisor Jonathan Tso said that voters are encouraging the board not to be “intimidated.”
Fulton says that plaintiffs Dale Tsosie and Hank Whitethorne named the Election Board in its lawsuit and she sees that as an attack on the Navajo Nation Sovereign Immunity.
I see as law and what I’ve been hearing is that we are a “lawless” group of people here and we are not. I don’t want that swept under the table. We can’t pick and chose in court which laws to abide by. And we have abided by Title 11 of the Navajo Code. and when decision made but there is the wrong application of the law, its up to the citizens to ask for review, like the U.S. Government. From what I read, lower judgments can be reviewed. I’d like to see if that review is available. But i continue to have problems with individuals that are private citizens filing against a presidential candidate.
Election Board President Charley asks legislative attorney Ron Haven to provide the Board with an answer regarding Fulton’s concerns and questions.
SUPERVISOR NORMAN L. BEGAY
we are not joining any group. we are protecting the rights of the voters. i am hearing that we have joined Chris Deschene.
ALBERT TINHORN, audience member
Thank Board for approving Kayenta referendum and thank election staff for assisting the community with legislation. I will continue to ask for assistance from election staff to get on ballot. and i like to think of us Navajos as peaceful so i hope that the world looks at navajo election board and supreme court as working harmoniously. when things go out of balance, the outside sees that as chaos. so i want for the navajo nation to be seen as peaceful.
SUPERVISOR JONATHAN TSO
I’d like to make directive that our staff place any other matters that concern the Board, on the Board’s next meeting agenda, which is Nov. 13, 2014.
ELECTION BOARD PRESIDENT CHARLEY
There is no Supreme Court decision and so there are no changes in the election.
BOARD ADJOURNS
ROZ ZAH, audience member, asks to address Board
heard over and over that you are protecting voters but what about the rest of the voters. Those that didn’t vote for Mr. Deschene who are the majority, about more than 30,000 Navajo voted for someone else. That is just comment.
ELECTION BOARD PRESIDENT WALLACE CHARLEY
when we say votes, we are talking about all votes.
SUPERVISOR JONATHAN TSO
we are for the people. we are protecting the process. its up to us to have election free of fraud.
IN A SEPARATE INTERVIEW, BOARD PRESIDENT WALLACE CHARLEY SAID THAT EVEN IF THE NAVAJO NATION SUPREME COURT ISSUES A DECISION TODAY ON THE WRIT OF MANDAMUS, THE BOARD WILL ADDRESS DURING ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING ON NOV. 13, 2014. “THAT’S THE LAW,” CHARLEY SAID.
