Navajo Election Office Director Edison Wauneka listens to Council Delegate Dwight Witherspoon explain why the Council needs to approve funding for the special presidential election on April 21, 2015, during the Council’s special session at the Council chambers in Window Rock, Ariz., on March 13, 2015. Speaker LoRenzo Bates sits in the background. Photo by Marley Shebala.
MOTION BY DELEGATES LEONARD TSOSIE AND BEN BENNETT TO SUSPEND COUNCIL FLOOR AND ALLOW MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES FOR EACH DELEGATE TO DEBATE.
VOTE IS 9 IN FAVOR, 11 OPPOSED
MOTION BY DELEGATES LEONARD TSOSIE AND NATE BROWN FOR AMENDMENT: tHERE BEING SO MANY NAVAJO VOTERS WHO ARE CLAIMING THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF THEIR VOTES AS A RESULT OF NAVAJO SUPREME COURT DECISION AND THE PRESIDENT REQUESTING THAT THE QUESTION OF “FLUENCY OF NAVAJO LANGUAGE” REQUIREMENT BE RESOLVED BY THE NAVAJO PEOPLE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE NAVAJO PEOPLE DECIDE WHETHER TO AMEND 11 N.N.C. SECTION 8, A, 4
DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
that this money first be used for referendum election and give question to Navajo people. In talking to election staff, this referendum can be done in 30 days. and if Navajo people choose to modify fluency law, let them do it. Supreme Court said let people decide. and if the vote is Yes to change Title 11, section 8A, 4, then we have special session because Navajo people voted.
And there is no urgency for president. President Ben Shelly is there.
and the referendum question can be printed by the Navajo Election Office, like what we did when the Council voted on its Speaker. It’s two step process, let the people vote. we tried but president vetoed. and Supreme Court called out attempt a “feeble” attempt. so wby June or July we will have a president. if the people vote no then they have settled the question. and everything, Joe Shirley and Russell Begaye election, will be held in abeyance. If people vote no, then Shirley and Begaye election. If people vote yes, then there will be a completely different election.
DELGATE SETH DAMON
if this amendment passes, would the amount be changed and would the entire legislation change?
ELECTION DIRECTOR EDISON WAUNEKA
In house printing would lower cost for referendum. And cost of ballot for special presidential election ballot would be $95,000 and $100,000.
DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
POINT OF ORDER – what we are trying to do is amend the Navajo election code now and so that is out of order.
DELEGATE L.TSOSIE
we are not changing law. we are asking for a referendum on an election matter. he can vote no. that is his privilege.
CHIEF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL LEVON HENRY
amendment is referendum regarding election code section for presidential qualification. this legislation is funding or appropriation legislation. amendment would put in category of referendum so it could be seen as substitute motion which requires committee review. and the amendment changes intent of Delegate Witherspoon’s legislation for funding of election.
SPEAKER LORENZO BATES
I rule Delegate L.Tsosie’s amendment out of order.
DELEGATES LEONARD TSOSIE AND EDMUND YAZZIE CHALLENGE SPEAKER’S RULE
