Voter turnout was down in Indigenous communities in San Juan County this election

Voter turnout has fluctuated in Indigenous precincts in San Juan County over the past decade. That's largely due to the county's switch to mail-in ballots in 2014. Navajo Nation residents aren't served by the USPS, the mail carrier that delivers ballots. This switch to mail-in voting prompted the Navajo Nation to sue shortly after for what it claimed was voter suppression among Indigenous voters. The settlement agreement from the lawsuit has resulted in more polling stations on the Navajo Nation, plus Dine language service for voters who don't speak English. Despite these efforts, voter turnout among Indigenous residents was down in San Juan County this election. We also hear about a state audit in the San Juan County Sheriff's Office for illegally operating a county bank account. Plus, a quick update on the Colorado couple who allegedly stole artifacts from Canyonlands National Park. We finish up with a story about the future of Colorado River negotiations as a new administration takes the White House. - Show Notes - • Election results in San Juan County https://electionresults.utah.gov/results/public/san-juan-county-ut/elections/general11052024 • Over 3,000 homes on the Navajo Nation receive official addresses https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/over-3000-homes-on-the-navajo-nation-receive-official-addresses