Election Day: Ballots from Supai, the only village inside the Grand Canyon, leave by mule train

L2Who’s affected

Who it affects: the tiny precinct "counts 155 registered voters" (Navajo-Hopi Observer). "Turnout is highest during presidential elections, at 30%-40%," Coconino County elections director Eslir Musta told the Navajo-Hopi Observer, and "a majority prefers to cast ballots in person." "The county hires mules and wranglers from the tourism office of the Havasupai Tribe" (Navajo-Hopi Observer).

L3Why it’s quiet

Why it stayed quiet: Analysis: the trip involves one small precinct in a remote corner of Arizona, on a day when national coverage centers on statewide races and results.

L4Deeper impact

Deeper impact: "County elections officials see it as a way to honor tribal practices and strengthen ties with voters" (Navajo-Hopi Observer). "And it helps the local economy with the mules," Musta told the Observer. "Musta is hopeful the practice will increase voter participation in the tiny precinct" (Navajo-Hopi Observer). For oversight, "the staffers are from differing parties and work in tandem, to ensure bipartisan oversight" (Navajo-Hopi Observer).

L5Full context

Full context: the load runs "from poll books and ballots, to accessible voting equipment and a Starlink internet router" (Navajo-Hopi Observer). "For the July primary election, they used a helicopter to get election equipment to Supai, but opted for a mule train for the return trip" (Navajo-Hopi Observer). "The county has also relied on long-distance runners, as long as they are of opposing political parties" (Navajo-Hopi Observer). Elsewhere, "Other jurisdictions have relied on helicopters, ferries and snowmobiles," Tammy Patrick told the Observer; "In Alaska, for example, there are 219 remote villages that have no roads connecting them to county elections offices" (Navajo-Hopi Observer).

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