New ballot format out
The CNMI Commission on Election has started disseminating copies of the proposed changes in the ballot to various government agencies, political groups, and government leaders to seek their comments.
In a news briefing Thursday morning, Election Commission executive director Greg Sablan said the changes would also enhance the privacy of voters and the sanctity of their votes if less questions are asked during the electoral process.
The proposed changes are aimed at improving the election procedures of the Commonwealth.
Sablan said that, in the last two elections, several candidates had expressed concern that they might have lost the election due to the present format of the ballot.
To avoid further inconveniences—for the commission, the candidates, and the voters—Sablan said initial steps have been undertaken to redo the face and design of the ballot in preparation for the 2005 General Election.
“As much as possible, we don’t want to make changes but this time, the changes would be for the better. We would publicize the information to get feedbacks and recommendations from the CNMI people,” said Sablan during the briefing.
He said the commission hopes to complete the initial processing by August this year, at least one year before the next general election.
“Last year, we received complaints from candidates hinting that they may have lost the election because of the ballot design. We checked each ballot and did a manual counting and no one lost the election because of the ballots. But voters sometimes go to the commissioners to seek their assistance or to look for the names of some candidates. As much as possible, we want to keep their privacy and they would ask less assistance if all the names of the candidates are printed on the face of the ballot,” said the executive director.
Based on the proposal, the new ballot would include all names of candidates, their political affiliation, and the position they are running for, as opposed of the existing one that spreads the name of the candidates, resulting in some candidates’ names being printed on the back portion of the ballot where voters could hardly see them.
Also, the commission said the changes in the ballot design would assist voters in the voting booth to make their choice easy and accurate.
“The commission is considering this proposal beginning with the 2005 election. It proposes to make the changes official by August 2004. Anyone having any question, comment or suggestion about the proposed changes to the ballot design may call the commission,” said Sablan.
The commission’s telephone number is 664-VOTE.
Last month, the Legislature gave its go signal to the commission to incorporate the proposed changes in the commission’s regulations to prevent confusion during elections.
In a letter transmitted to Sablan, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial and Senate Pres. Joaquin Adriano both encouraged the commission to proceed with the ballot changes it has earlier proposed with the two chambers.
The Legislature stressed that, following a thorough review of the proposed amendments to the election ballots, both chambers agreed that the alterations are acceptable.
Also, both chambers stressed that the amendments would likely to result in fewer invalid votes, which has been a concern among political parties during elections.
