Technology:
A tool to bring in Navajo votes
By Natasha Kaye Johnson, Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK—The re-elect Joe Shirley, Jr. campaign has consciously integrated the use of technology as a principal strategy in its efforts to keep Shirley in office for four more years.

Lean Fowler, Campaign Manager, has kicked off the campaign using Internet and e-mail correspondence as tools to promote Shirley in the upcoming election. As part of the strategy, a campaign Web site is also being developed where people can e-mail Shirley and the campaign volunteers.

"Technology is a big part of it," said Patrick Sandoval, Chief of Staff, and volunteer for the re-elect Joe Shirley, Jr. Campaign. The Web site also contains an absentee ballot for Navajo voters off the reservation, helping to keep urban Navajos up to date.

Fowler said they plan to do a great deal of corresponding via the net, and ultimately target more voters. They have also set up an e-mail listserv so that voters can stay up to date with Shirley's election. By using technology, Fowler also plans to target young people.

"We're going to focus on the youth also," said Fowler. "The strategy is a little different than traditional Navajos. They may not have ever voted before." Reaching youth through technology and e-mail is another part of the campaign agenda.

Sandoval said that they currently have eight youth coordinators working at college campuses where many Navajo students are in school and have been corresponding to them via e-mail.

While Fowler plans to integrate technology into the campaign, they still will be doing the traditional campaigning done in the past such as rallies and talking on KTNN.

"We're mobilizing," said Fowler, who interned with the late Annie Wauneka and was a staff assistant for U.S. Senator John McCain for five years.

In election 2002, Shirley's campaigning headquarters were located in Chinle, but are now in Window Rock. They also have ten committees across the Navajo Nation and surrounding border towns. Some of the committees target certain areas of the nation and include more than one community, such as the southern and northern areas of the reservation. They also have committees in Gallup, Window Rock, Tuba City, northern Farmington, Shiprock, Kaytena, Chinle, and Ganado. While the committees are in these designated areas, Fowler said they do make visits to other communities and certain regions.

Fowler, who currently is a doctoral student, said she has the flexibility in her schedule to manage the campaign. Fowler said that she has a research and organizational background, and has been volunteering with various projects since the early 80's, but has not worked on a campaign until now.

"This is my first campaign," she said. "Where I come in is the organization part." Fowler is the wife of George Hardeen, Communications Officer for the Office of the President. Two weeks ago, Fowler was asked by Shirley to manage the campaign.

"It's a decision solely made by the candidate," said Sandoval.

While this is Fowler's first campaign, she also is working closely with Sandoval, who was Shirley's campaign manager last election.

"We had lessons learned (last election)," said Sandoval. "We're going to try to make sure we don't make the same mistakes."

As part of managing the campaign, Fowler is also making sure that volunteers are using their own personal time.

"She makes sure no one comes on tribal time," said Sandoval. Sandoval said that no tribal resources are being used to help with the campaign, such as supplies, equipment, or tribal vehicles. As far as Sandoval is aware, misuse of tribal resources during the election has not been an issue with past presidential candidates.

"We're looking successful," said Sandoval. Although Sandoval believes things are looking up for the re-elect Joe Shirley, Jr. campaign, they are continuing to move forward.

"People say that Joe Shirley will win again, but that works against us," said Sandoval. "People might not come out and vote because they think he might already win."