Three candidates are having their nominating petitions challenged; two are incumbent members of the State Legislature who have been challenged by their opponents on the grounds that post office boxes were used as addresses during the collection of signatures for nominating petitions. Many Native voters live on Indian reservations where a physical address does not exist. Thus, a P.O. box is the only source of information regarding residence. This court challenge acts to remove three candidates from the ballot and undermine the will of the people who signed these nominating petitions. There is also concern that such tactics may further disenfranchise the Native voter from voting on Election Day.

WHAT: News Conference to bring attention to Native voter suppression in Legislative races in Northern Arizona .

WHEN: 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

WHERE: State Capitol (House Lawn)

WHO: Rep. Albert Tom, Chris Deschene (LD2 Candidate), Sen. Albert Hale, Rep. Ben Miranda, Mary Kim Titla (Candidate for U.S. House of Rep. Dist. 1), various tribal leaders (invited)

Court Dates for candidates whose nominating petitions are being challenged:

Representative Albert Tom: Friday June 27th, 1PM
State Senator Albert Hale: Friday, June 27th 3pm
Candidate Chris Deschene: Friday, June 27th 10AM