185 new voters are mostly fresh grads

So far, a total of 185 mostly fresh high school graduates have registered with the Commonwealth Election Commission as new voters.

As of 11am yesterday, there are now a total of 16,211 registered voters in the Commonwealth, according to CEC executive director Julita Villagomez yesterday morning.

The next election in the Commonwealth is the general election in November 2018.

There were 17,930 registered voters at the November 2016 general election.

The election commission started registering new voters just a week after the November 2016 election, Villagomez said.

This time, the deadline to register will be 60 days before the November 2018 election, she said.

Even those who are just 17 years old now are already eligible to register as a voter as long as they are qualified and will already be 18 years old by the time the November 2018 election rolls in, Villagomez said.

Voter registration is also among the requirements for students to get some scholarships and in pursuing college education.

Villagomez encouraged new voters to register now while there are no still no lines.

To register, CEC just needs either a valid U.S. passport or a copy of the birth certificate.

For those residing on Tinian or Rota, those islands’ respective election commissioners can accept their applications to register.

For those residing in Guam and in the U.S. mainland, they can download the form from the CEC website, www.votecnmi.gov.mp, fill it up, and mail it directly to CEC.

Once registered, voters do not need to register again unless they did not vote during the preceding two general elections, or are transferring from one election district to another.