WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Maybe it was the warm weather or the stakes in the
election that brought Navajo voters out in “record numbers” to the polls on
Nov. 2.

The Navajo Nation, who held this year’s tribal elections on the same day as
the state and federal elections, agreed along with state election officials
that there were long lines at polling sites across the reservation.

By early afternoon, some communities were running out of ballots. In Apache
County (Ariz.), election officials ran out of provisional ballots, as did
Dilkon Chapter where Navajo Nation elections were taking place. Both were
restocked, officials said.

Apache County Elections Director Penny Pew said, “I’d say there was about
20 percent more voters than usual.” She said she went to several polling
sites across the reservation and “found long lines everywhere.” In her
county, 55 percent voted for George Bush and 43 percent for John Kerry

Johnny R. Thompson, a Navajo election official, said this election turnout
was the highest there has been for tribal chapter (local) elections.
“Usually, a lot of people come out for the tribal General Election, he
said. “But this was a record turn out for the chapter election.” Final
estimates won’t be known until Nov. 4, but Navajo officials estimated more
than 50 percent of the tribe’s 95,000 registered voters cast a ballot. The
Arizona Democratic Party had vans to transport voters to election sites.

Navajo Elections Director Edison Wauneka said there were some problems, but
“they were inconsistent so we’re looking into them.” He said Dilkon Chapter
did run out of ballots, but that was the only occurrence.

In McKinley County (N.M.), an official said one reservation precinct, Rock
Springs, ran out of ballots but they “quickly took care of the issue.”

In the far western half of the reservation, in Coconino County, Elections
Director Patty Hensen said her staff told her there were long lines all day
beginning at 6 a.m. at many of their reservation poll sites. “We didn’t
have any problems, nor did we run out of ballots,” she said.

One Dilkon Chapter Navajo who ran unsuccessfully for a tribal seat,
believes people were voting in droves this year because of its importance.
“People are voting in large numbers because the election is important this
year,” said James Paddock, a social service worker and Christian, who ran
for chapter president. “There’s a war going on. There are issues such as
gay marriages. I’ve never seen so many people voting here.”

Navajo voters, however, were split between Sen. John Kerry and Pres. George
Bush. In Tuba City, Ariz., one of the largest reservation communities
located in Coconino County, voters favored Sen. Kerry with around 79
percent of the votes. Analysis of other reservation precincts showed that
George Bush received anywhere from 19 to 34 percent.

Selena Manychildren, a former newscaster on the tribal radio station KTNN,
believes people voted Bush back into office, because “they didn’t want to
change leaders in the middle of a war,” she said. “That was the number one
issue.”

She believes that in the future people will vote more. She was saddened by
the election’s outcome. “It’s sad that the Republicans got back in. We
needed a change, but unfortunately we didn’t get it.”

Manychildren expressed concern, as did other Navajos about sharp words
during the election between Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. and powerful
New Mexico Republican Sen. Pete Domenici.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if the Republicans shun us now,” said
Manychildren. “He might turn a deaf ear towards us now.”

But Shirley may have quickly corrected the issue, by sending re-elected
Pres. George Bush congratulatory remarks. “While I sent my congratulations
to Pres. Bush for this victory, I still stand with Native America in our
desire for a president who will come to the table with us to address our
critical issues that have long been overlooked,” said Shirley.

Navajo voters also approved gaming by a 3 to 2 margin. The measure only
extended gaming to other Navajo communities.