The Navajo Nation Council has approved a bill to conduct a special election for the tribal presidency next summer, months after a deadline set by the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.
The Daily Times reports that the council approved the legislation Tuesday during a special session in Window Rock, Arizona. The bill calls for a June 2 primary election and an Aug. 4 general election.
The presidential race was thrown into turmoil before the tribe's Nov. 4 general election when candidate Chris Deschene was disqualified due to a ruling that he lacked fluency in the Navajo language.
Under the bill, the 17 candidates who ran in the Aug. 28 primary election could run again and have the $1,500 filing fee waived, but new candidates would have to pay the fee.
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