Staff Reports
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Speaker Crystalyne Curley addressed the Navajo Voters Coalition Conference June 18, emphasizing the importance of protecting voting rights, increasing voter participation, and ensuring Navajo voices remain represented at every level of government.
Curley expressed appreciation for the years of work carried out by the Navajo Voters Coalition and encouraged community leaders, youth, and chapter officials to continue its mission of civic engagement and voter education.
“We have to protect the Navajo vote,” she said. “Our voices must be heard, our votes must count, and we have to continue carrying this work forward with new voices, new ideas, and new generations of voters.”
During her remarks, Curley highlighted the influence Navajo voters have had in tribal, county, state, and federal elections, noting that close races have often been decided by Native voter turnout. She encouraged Navajo citizens to remain engaged in every election and continue advocating for issues important to the Navajo people, including health care, education, water rights, and economic development.
Curley also discussed ongoing challenges to tribal voting rights, including legislative proposals and voting requirements that can create barriers for Native voters. She noted the Navajo Nation Council’s efforts to oppose measures that could limit access to the ballot and emphasized the importance of safeguarding voting rights for future generations.
She also highlighted the establishment of state caucuses within the Navajo Nation Council, which bring delegates together to address legislation affecting Navajo citizens in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. According to Speaker Curley, these efforts have helped oppose measures that threaten Native voting rights and strengthen coordination on issues affecting Navajo voters.
Curley called on community members to organize locally, assist elders with transportation to polling locations, expand voter education efforts, and encourage participation in upcoming elections.
“Every election matters,” she said. “We need to continue educating voters, supporting our communities, and making sure our people get to the polls so that our voices continue to shape the future of the Navajo Nation.”
The conference featured addresses by NVC Conference Coordinator LeNora Fulton, representatives from the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, Veterans Commander and Fort Defiance Chapter President Tom M. White, Navajo Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Lorenzo Curley, and Chris Deschene.
Deschene called for greater youth engagement to help protect Navajo voting rights and encouraged Navajo voters to advocate for issues important to their communities.
