Elections and Voting

The Navajo Nation Election Code includes the process of recalling elected officials. Any official elected into office must complete a period of six months as an elected official before being subjected to recall proceedings. Recall proceedings can be initiated against any Navajo Nation elected official. More information regarding recall initiatives can be obtained by contacting the Election Administration.

The Navajo Nation Election Code offers procedures for the referendum process. There are 3 types of referendum in the Navajo Nation Election Code. 1) Referendum measures may be referred to the people by the Navajo Nation Council where the Council determines by resolution that the people should decide the referendum measure. 2) Referendum measures may be referred by a Chapter Resolution to the registered voters of the Chapter within that Chapter Area. Such measure must affect that Chapter only. 3) Initiatives may be placed on a ballot by petition of the registered voters. Additional information on the Navajo Nation referendum/initiative process can be obtained at any one of the Election Offices.

In order to become an elected official within the Navajo Nation government, qualified individuals must file for available offices at the Navajo Election Administration.

Voter registration for the Navajo Nation can be done at any one of the Navajo Election Administration offices. The Election Offices are located throughout the Navajo Nation at the Agency locations. The Navajo Nation voter registration can be done at most of the 110 Navajo Nation chapter houses during regular business hours. In order to qualify to vote in the Navajo Nation elections, an individual must be over the age of 18 years, have a Navajo census number issued by the Navajo Office of Vital Statistic.

The next election is in 2026 for the Navajo Nation President and Navajo Nation Vice President.

Records being updated. Contact Election Administration for individual Chapter History.

To find out what chapter you are currently registered with, you can email navajoelections@navajo.org and request your voter registration status.

During an election year, the Election Board approves elective offices that will be available during that particular election. Currently there are two election cycles for the Navajo Nation Election. You can check the Election Administration website to view the upcoming election calendar. Additional information can be found on the website as well.

Each elective offices within the Navajo Nation has its own set of qualifications. In order to find out the qualifications for a specific office, you can go to the “candidate qualifications” section of the homepage.

There are 3 different types of referendum elections within the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation Council enacted referendum must be done by the Navajo Nation Council. The second type is a chapter referendum which can be initiated by a chapter or a number of chapters, but the initiative must cover those chapters only. The third type is an intiative type that can be initiated by any individual(s) to be placed on a special election ballot. Unless the referendum or initiative is included in a major election, the sponsor or initiator must provide some funds towards the payment for the special election.