35 seats up for grabs on Nov. 8 elections

Thirty-five seats are up for grabs in the coming CNMI general elections on Nov. 8, according to Commonwealth Election Commission acting executive director Julita Villagomez.

The upcoming polls used to be called mid-term elections, but Villagomez said the commission now calls all polls general elections.

In addition, for the judiciary, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho is up for retention election. The judge, however, has yet to announce whether or not he wants to be on the ballot.

Camacho was appointed to the bench in November 2011. His term expires in November 2017.

Under the CNMI Constitution, the question whether justices or judges will be retained shall be put to a vote at a general election immediately before the end of that justice’s or judge’s initial term of office.

In an interview yesterday, Villagomez said July 11 is the first day for submission for nominating petitions and candidacy requirements, and Aug. 10 is the last day for such submission.

The top seat for this election is the U.S. Delegate for the U.S. House of Representatives, a position that has been held by Gregorio Kilili Sablan since he was elected in 2008.

Villagomez said the other positions for election are for the Senate, House of Representatives, Municipal Council, and Board of Education.

For the Senate, there are three seats—one each for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

For the House, there are 20 seats—six for Precinct 1; two for Precinct 2; six for Precinct 3; two for Precinct 4; two for Precinct 5; one for Precinct 6 (Tinian); and one for Precinct 7 (Rota).

For Municipal Council, there are nine positions—three each for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

For BOE, there are two seats—one for Saipan and one for Rota.