Civic Academy
Elections 101
How Navajo Nation elections actually work — and how to make sure your vote counts in 2026.
Who runs the election
Navajo Nation elections are run by the Nation’s own Election Administration, under the Nation’s election law (Title 11 of the Navajo Nation Code). It registers voters, runs the polling places, and certifies results. Registration, deadlines, polling locations, and official dates all live with them — navajovotes.org is the official source.
What’s on the ballot in 2026
This is a big one: the presidency, all 24 Council delegate seats, and chapter and school-board offices. A primary election first narrows the field, and the general election decides. In 2026, voters are also expected to see a referendum question on the proposed government-reform constitution — a separate decision from any candidate race. (Our Proposed Constitution lesson explains what it would change; the decision is yours.)
How your vote is organized
You vote where you’re registered — your chapter determines your precinct, which determines which delegate race is on your ballot. One delegate can represent one chapter or several. Our Find Your Ballot pages show which candidates appear for each precinct.
Make it count
Check your registration early through the Election Administration — don’t assume. Confirm your polling place and the dates for both the primary and the general. If you’ll be away, ask the Election Administration about absentee options and their deadlines. And bring your questions to candidate forums — this whole site exists to help you ask better ones. And voting is one of eight doors — see Get Involved for the rest.
Quick check: the 2026 election
Check your understanding — private, saved on this device, no grades
Who is the official authority on registration, ballots, and results?
Right — always verify with Navajo Election Administration (NEA); this site links there, never replaces it.
The primary narrows the field. When is it?
Right — and the general (with the constitution referendum) is November 3.
Goes with: Did They Answer the Question? · How to weigh what a candidate says
Continue
All Civic Academy lessons · Task Guides · My Civic Journey
Your voice: today’s Corner question · all surveys, by subject · the data so far.
Quick check
Check your understanding — private, no grades
The people of the Navajo Nation may propose a law directly. This is called…
An initiative. Referendum is voting on one; recall removes an official. None requires permission from the Council.
In 2018, CN-79-18 changed the signature requirement for a recall petition…
Lowered. Confirm the current threshold with the Navajo Election Administration before relying on it. C · from the OLS amendment index
Since 2015, a person may not run for elective office if…
A judgment — CMY-17-15. An allegation is not a judgment. A complaint dismissed for lack of jurisdiction produces no judgment.