San Juan County issues statement regarding vote-by-mail settlement
San Juan County vote-by-mail settlement case dismissed with prejudice
By Natalie Callahan
During the 2016 general election, voter turnout among San Juan County Navajo voters was 69 percent. In comparison to the nationwide voter turnout of 58 percent and 47 percent turnout for Navajo Nation elections, we were thrilled and hopeful.
Instead of shining the spotlight on this amazing feat, the ACLU chose to sue San Juan County stating that vote-by-mail unconstitutionally hindered Navajo ability to vote. This week, the case has finally been settled.
What did the lawsuit accomplish? Outside of wasting taxpayer dollars that could have been used to provide services to the county citizens, nothing. San Juan County will continue to maintain three on-Reservation polling locations for in-person voting; continue to provide English language assistance to Navajo voters; continue having a Navajo speaking County employee visit Navajo Chapter Houses to inform them of election information; continue to place ads in the local newspapers informing all County residents of voting procedures; and continue to have the ballot recorded in Navajo with that recording being placed on the County’s website, played on the radio, and distributed to Navajo Chapter Houses. There is no admission of liability and vote-by-mail is the law in San Juan County. It is important to note that the ACLU asked San Juan County to pay over $2 million in legal fees in comparison to San Juan County’s $100,000 legal bill. However, as part of the settlement, this will not happen and the case has been dismissed with prejudice.
We are committed to holding elections that are fair and accessible to all. This is a huge win for San Juan County and our Utah Navajo residents.
Articles related to “San Juan County issues statement regarding vote-by-mail settlement”
Settlement announced in Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission v. San Juan County
Zion National Park closes rock climbing routes due to breeding peregrine falcons
