Hundreds were already in line as polling places opened at 7am in today's historic CNMI elections, with three of the four gubernatorial candidates casting their votes at Precinct 3's Garapan Elementary School between 7:10am and 9:10am and the fourth one expected to vote shortly before the close of polls at 7pm.
This will be the first time in CNMI history that a run-off would be held should none of the four gubernatorial candidates get 50 percent plus 1 of the votes cast.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial of the Covenant Party cast his vote at 7:10am, followed by Independent Ramon “Kumoi” S. Deleon Guerrero around 7:20am, and Independent Juan “Pan” Guerrero shortly after 9am.
Republican Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider is the only gubernatorial candidate who is set to cast his vote at past 6pm also at the Garapan Elementary School, according to his running mate, House Speaker Arnold I. Palacios.
Palacios was with the Republican Party supporters near the Garapan Elementary School at around 9am.
Precinct 3, one of the largest election districts in the CNMI, has over 3,300 registered voters. Most of them are voting at the Garapan Elementary School.
“I feel great. I feel very, very good. I also want all people to feel good when they vote,” Fitial told Saipan Tribune right after casting his vote, along with first lady Josie Fitial.
The first couple arrived at the Garapan Elementary School at 7:05am, right after attending Mass at the San Jose Parish Church.
“I'm very optimistic,” the governor added, when asked about his chance of being re-elected.
He added, “I really don't know how close this election is going to be but I can only say this: If people go out and vote, it will show the mandate of the people.”
Fitial said he thinks the young age group - 18 to 35 - will help deliver the votes for him.
But while Fitial was the first one to vote, it was Deleon Guerrero who was the first among the gubernatorial candidates to fall in line at the Garapan Elementary School.
Deleon Guerrero, who is popularly known as “Kumoi,” was already in line when Fitial arrived. Fitial's supporters, however, asked the governor and his wife to take their place in front of the line to be able to vote early.
“I feel good. When I feel good, I'm going 60 percent,” Deleon Guerrero, a former senator, told Saipan Tribune.
He said those “people suffering from the fuel surcharge” will make him win the elections.
Guerrero, also an Independent gubernatorial candidate, arrived at his campaign tent outside Garapan Elementary School at around 8:30am.
Along with his family and supporters, Guerrero, a businessman, fell in line and waited for his turn to vote at 9:10am.
He said there's a need for a change in CNMI leadership.
Also early in line was Angelo Villagomez, who is running for Saipan's mayoral post.
Villagomez said the first time he will do if he wins is to hug his mother, who was with him at the voting place even before the polls opened at 7am.
'Didn't know about the initiatives'
Lani Iguel, 23, said it was her third time to vote. She finished voting at the Tanapag Youth Center at 10am.
She said she thinks she voted for the right candidates from different political parties.
Iguel said she didn't know there are three legislative initiatives and one popular initiative included on the ballot.
Questions about the four initiatives are on the reverse or back side of the ballot.
“I didn't even know there's something at the back. I didn't know about those,” she told Saipan Tribune.
There are 639 registered voters at Election District 4A, and the voting is being held at the Tanapag Youth Center. Of this number, 58 absentee votes were received.
One hour into the election or at 8am, there were already 104 residents who voted at the Tanapag Youth Center.
By 9am, the number went up to 158 before going up to 212 as of 10am.
A police officer detailed at the polling place said everything was peaceful.
Police Commissioner Santiago Tudela and all other police officers are visible in and around polling places to ensure orderly and peaceful elections.
Angelina Phillips, 18, said she's excited to vote for the first time. She fell in line at the Garapan Elementary School at 7:37am.
“I will vote straight for one party,” she added.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Ernest, an election observer from the Office of the Attorney General, said the Garapan Elementary School polling place was all set by 7am. He said he was the first one to vote at the place.
As the morning progressed, supporters of candidates and political parties took their designated places meters away from the entrances to polling places.
The Commonwealth Election Commission said counting will begin after the 7pm close of polls.
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