Democrats establish procedures for incumbents, new candidates seeking elective office in ’24 polls
The Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands adopted a resolution on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, which establishes a process for the recruitment and nomination of candidates seeking to run under the party’s banner in this year’s midterm elections.
The resolution outlines the steps by which incumbents can indicate their desire to seek re-election under the party and provides clarification for individuals who might wish to challenge Democratic incumbents.
The resolution states:
Incumbent Democrats who submit letters of intent to seek reelection as Democrats by Jan. 31, 2024, shall be entitled to presumptive nominee status.
Individuals who wish to challenge an incumbent Democrat for nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for the office held by the incumbent must submit to party chair a petition bearing the signature of not fewer than 50 registered voters of the Northern Marianas on or before Feb. 15, 2024.
In the event an incumbent is challenged for the party nomination, the question of which individual shall be the party nominee will be decided by primary election conducted concurrently with the Presidential Preference Primary conducted March 5-12, 2024. Unsuccessful candidates in the primary remain eligible to seek nomination for another office under the Democratic Party banner.
All other candidates must submit letters of intent no later than April 2, 2024, to be considered for nomination.
Presumptive nominees who have not been challenged for the nomination are confirmed as candidates for their offices upon expiration of the Feb. 15, 2024, deadline.
In the event that a presumptive nominee is challenged for the nomination, the unsuccessful candidate(s) in the primary may still submit a letter of intent for another office.
Presumptive nominees may not be challenged so long as there is at least one open seat for the office unoccupied by a Democrat in the election district affected.
Procedures for the final selection of candidates nominated by the Democratic Party will be announced by the Central Executive Committee on or before April 20, 2024.
Party chair Jonathan Cabrera had the following to say regarding the resolution: “The party has implemented a fair and transparent process for selecting candidates to run in the upcoming elections. I am pleased with the Central Executive Committee’s work, and I am looking forward to working with all those wishing to run with us in 2024. Let’s build on the work of our incumbents and former elected officials so that we might bring to fruition a safe, healthy, beautiful, sustainable, and truly inclusive Northern Marianas.”
To view the resolution in its entirety, visit nmidems on Facebook, or visit www.nmidems.org. The Democratic Presidential Primary will be held from March 5 to 12 on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and all registered Democratic voters and supporters are invited to participate. Register as a Democrat today by visiting the party’s website, and stay tuned for more details. (PR)
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