A dispute involving the Democratic nominee for the San Juan County, Utah Commission has highlighted racial and political tensions in the county.
The San Juan Record reportsWendy Black, a Blanding resident, filed a complaint against District 2 Democratic candidate Willie Grayeyes, Jr.. The complaint states Grayeyes is not a resident of San Juan County, and is therefore ineligible to run in the election. However, Grayeyes filed several documents establishing his residency in late April.
The case comes after a federal court ruled to redraw voting districts in the county after finding patterns of racial bias. Now Navajo voters make up the majority of two of the county’s three commission districts. All three districts are up for election this year. The San Juan County Clerk will rule on Grayeyes’ eligibility soon, but that decision will likely end up in court.
