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Reform election law
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Posted on Aug 16 2000
The Issue: Proposed Reform of CNMI Elections laws need further refinement.
Our View: Proposed deletion of primaries is appropriate, including other questionable provisions.
The legislature has approved proposed reform to the election laws of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This measure is being prepared to be sent to the governor for his signature.
The measure, however, contains two troublesome provisions:
1). An automatic primary in any political party that has more than the required number of candidates for a seat, i.e., two candidates for mayoral slot.
2). A new provision on residency requirement that some feel may be contrary to pertinent constitutional provisions.
The Board of Elections has recommended deletion of the “automatic” primary for political parties. Its reason is that such provision would require the BOE to serve as the administrator of primaries. It would impose additional burden on its limited budget by requiring employees to work on the day of primaries through completion.
It is our view that such provision is best left to political parties and dictated by its by-laws or set of rules. Its deletion would also save taxpayers from defraying an expense solely the responsibility of political parties. We subscribe to its deletion, including clarification on residency before one is eligible to vote.
It would be poor judgment to force an additional burden on taxpayers and not at a time when revenue generation has gone deep south. We understand that the House of Representatives is preparing to delete such provision soon. We urge that it be done soonest in order to clarify current confusion all political parties wish resolved. Si Yuus Maase`!
