Voters warned vs providing false information

The Commonwealth Election Commission warned voters against providing false information on their affidavit of registration, noting that the offense carries stiff penalties.

CEC executive director Gregorio Sablan said Thursday that the commission, in its ongoing maintenance and update of voter information on file, continues to discover that individuals provide false information such as mailing addresses, residences, etc. on their voter’s affidavit.

He urged voters who have changed addresses to immediately inform the Election Commission to avoid fines or other sanctions.

“The provision of false information on an affidavit of registration, made under oath to either an election official, a notary public or a commissioned officer of the U.S. Armed Forces, may constitute the crimes of unlawful registration and perjury,” CEC said in a public notice. “Unlawful registration is punishable by fine up to $2000 or imprisonment for not more than two years or both. Perjury is punishable by fine up to $5000 or imprisonment for not more than five years or both.”

According to Sablan, the Election Commission has been receiving complaints about individuals who are registered to vote in an election district different from where they reside. These complaints are investigated on a case-by-case basis and the registrant, when justified, are notified of the transfer to the correct election district.

“I’ve made several hundred transfers since I started working at the commission in 1999,” he said.

In cases where the registrant disputes the transfer, the matter is referred to the Election Commissioners for an administrative hearing and for final disposition.

“The Election Commission has in the past and will continue to forward those affidavits of registration which in the executive director’s findings contain untruthful information to the Attorney General’s Office requesting that the registrants be prosecuted for perjury or for violations of the election law. It is therefore important that registrants ensure that information they provide on their affidavit of registration is truthful and current,” CEC said.

Sablan also recalled an instance when a person who has been sentenced for committing a federal offense and placed under probation attempted to vote. The matter was referred to the AGO, and later prompted U.S. District Court Judge Alex Munson to revoke the person’s probation.

The person is now serving his sentence in a prison in the United States.

The Election Commission is currently preparing for the general elections next year. Offices that are up for election on Nov. 5, 2005 include that of the governor and lieutenant governor, senators, representatives, mayors, and municipal council members.

As of Aug. 4, 2004, there are 11,610 registered voters in the CNMI. The biggest number of voters come from the first election district, with 4,482. District No. 1 covers San Antonio, San Vicente, Koblerville, Kagman, and Northern Marianas College.

The second election district, which includes Chalan Kanoa and Susupe, posted 771 voters. The third district, covering San Jose, Garapan and the Northern Islands, has 2,272 voters.

There are 1,828 registered voters from Tanapag, San Roque, and Capitol Hill, which compose the fourth district. Tinian has 956 voters while Rota has 1,301 voters.

The voter registration period for the 2005 general election will end on Sept. 16, 2005.