Soon after Navajo Nation Council Delegate Katherine Benally arrived at the closed door session of the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors, the NBOES opened the door. Delegate Benally was then allowed to speak to the board. The board voted 8 in favor, 0 opposed to come out of executive session at 1:35 p.m.

NAVAJO COUNCIL DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
This Election board has said that it is not to blame for what has been happening with the elections. I agree. The confusion and chaos was created by an individual who lied on his oath of candidacy. Please do what is right for the people.

ELECTION BOARD VICE CHAIRPERSON TOM WHITE
We been in executive session since 9:59 am and we debated for hours like council. Make motion, because of the question raised b the election board on the election process and to comly with the court order, the board requests a legal opinion from the DOJ. The opinionmust be done by Monday for consideration by the board.

ELECTION SUPERVISOR JONATHAN TSO
We ensure that the election process free of intimidation, fraud and to avoid infringing on rights of vote and choice of vote, even the court cannot take that away. So I second for elections to continue as is.

ELECTION BOARD CHAIRPERSON WALLACE CHARLEY
Questions regarding supreme court order?

ELECTION SUPREVISOR LENORA FULTON
I don’t want to leave any stone underturned. We followed Title 11, I always have. With this election there has always been something new. And thi sis long process. We don’t have an attorney and that is the problem. If we had our own independent attorney and sometimes we have to share attorney with council. Sometimes we use DOJ. But if had own then could work easier. If from government, the attorney has to deal with that.
We have to look at way people vote. And we got into this because of time deadlines and those were out of sequence.
This court order was given to us. And comfortable with returning on Monday because then we will have more information.

ELECTION SUPERVISOR NORMAN BEGAY
That legislation is not signed so not valid.

ELECTION SUPREVISOR FRANNIE GEORGE
Let’s vote!

WALLACE CHARLEY
Let me run this meeting. Anymore questions. Call for vote.

VOTE 8 in favor, 0 opposed at 1:48 p.m.

ELECTION BOARD CHAIRPERSON WALLACE CHARLEY
Mr. Attorney General, please do what you can for us and return on Monday.

ELECTION SUPERVISOR TSO
We are not favoring any candidate. We are protecting the process. The voters have certain rights that even the courts cannot take away.

ELECTION SUPERVISOR FULTON
The boss of this board is not the Council. It is the people. remember that this is the people’s governmet and to ensure that their rights are complied with.

MOTION ADJOURN COAN AND FULTON
Vote 8 in favor, 0 opposed.
Adjourned at 1:53 p.m.