Early voting for general elections begins

The Commonwealth Elections Committee has announced that early voting for the upcoming general elections will begin this weekend. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works warns candidates of the upcoming election that should their political signs along the public right-of-way remain unpermitted, they will be taken down starting next week.

Yesterday, the CEC issued a public announcement stating that early voting for Northern Islands voters for the upcoming general elections will begin this Saturday, Sept. 21. This only applies to Northern Island voters.

As for early voting for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota voters, it will begin on Oct. 29 and will end on Nov. 4, just one day before the general elections.

Early voting will commence from 8:30am to 4pm and will be held at the CEC office in Susupe.

Early voting at the CEC office will only be until Oct. 17. From Oct. 18 to Nov, 4, early voting will be held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

All early voters are required to bring their pictured ID in order to be issued a ballot at the polls.

Meanwhile, DPW has issued its own public announcement warning candidates who have erected political signs along the public right-of-way that if their signs remain unpermitted with DPW until Sept. 26, their signs will be removed.

“You are required as per Public Law 20-52 to submit a request to recent political signs to DPW, Office of the Secretary. As of Aug. 4, there are a total of 61 candidates seeking an elected seat for the upcoming general elections. [So far, only 14] have submitted a request to erect political signs on the public right-of-way,” said DPW Secretary Ray Yumul.

The candidates who have requested to erect political signs are Edith Deleon Guerrero, Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao, Ralph Yumul, Manny Gregory Castro, Luis Masga Sablan, Daniel I. Aquino, Edwin K. Propst, John Oliver DLR Gonzales, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Angelo A. Camacho, Edmund S. Villagomez, Marissa R. Flores, Diego V.F. Camacho, ad Malcom Omar.

DPW Secretary Yumul warns that beginning Sept. 27, DPW personnel will be removing unpermitted signs.

“DPW shall be removing all unpermitted signs beginning Sept. 27. To fall in compliance and prevent removal of signs, candidates must submit a letter addressed to Secretary of Public Works, delivered to the admin office located about First Hawaiian Bank Oleai branch no later than Sept. 26. The context of the letter must include the locations, material constructions and dimensions, with sample of the sign image,” he said.

For more questions, candidates may call Noel Jesus Mauldin or Lorraine Villagomez at (670) 235-9570.