Early voting off to a good start

The Commonwealth Election Commission officially opened the polls for early voting at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center yesterday morning with dozens of community members coming out to cast their votes.

Yesterday morning, at exactly 8:30am, a line started to form at the doors of the multi-purpose center while cars started to line up in front of the building all waiting for their turn to cast their votes during the early voting phase of this year’s election.

Susan Babauta, CEC board chair, said she is encouraging more people to take advantage of the early voting phase of the election.

“Today is the beginning of early voting and we are wanting all the voters to please come out and vote and get your voices heard. Polls have officially opened, and we will be here all throughout this week until Nov. 4 so let’s vote!” she said.

Casting her vote at exactly 8:30am was CNMI Republican Party delegate candidate Kimberlyn King-Hinds who marched into the polling cite after running 3 miles just to get there.

“It was important for me to set an example by literally running to the polls this morning to cast my vote and I hope you all do the same. I think it is important to get people to come out and vote. For me, it’s not just about me running for delegate and me asking you to come out to vote for me. Elections are an important part of deciding, as a community, where we’re headed or where we’re not. So, if you don’t come out and have your voices heard, then you’re not weighing in on the current situation,” she said.

Citing another business shutdown following Saipan Tribune’s closure announcement, King-Hinds said this is the time for the community to decide on what direction they would like to head toward.

“When you wake up in the morning and the first thing you see is another business shutting down, one that has been such an institution in our community, the only thing that I tell myself is that ‘it shouldn’t be this way.’ There are better ways, and we need to work collectively to pursue the same direction. For me, that’s ensuring that everybody kitchen table is protected. I’ve known the people who work for the Saipan Tribune for a long time, their kitchen table is about to stripped away because they’re losing their jobs. Politics aside, that breaks my heart because I don’t have the means to provide for every single person. The only thing I can do as a candidate is advocate for policies that ensure that these opportunities are there, so CNMI we need to come out and let your voice be heard. This is an important part of our democracy. You can complain about a lot of things, but the way to go about this is to not complain and come out and vote to let your voices be heard. We have seven days between now and election day so let’s rally together, invite your friends and family and let’s pull up to the polling place and lets decide where we’re going to go. I hope you see what I see and what I see is an opportunity for something better. Let’s do this CNMI, I love you,” she said.

Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands delegate candidate Edwin Propst, who shared that he will be voting on election day, also encouraged supported and community members to take advantage of early voting.

“I feel fantastic. I’m excited. Everyone has been working toward this day. Thankfully we have a beautiful day, the sun is out after all that pouring rain, so this is a blessing. I encourage people to come out and vote, voting early is a great time especially for those who are working and have difficulty getting out of work or other issues. But whether it’s voting early or on election day, I encourage everyone to vote. I’m grateful and deeply humbled and honored to be running for this position. I’m grateful for all those who supported us and endorsed us; Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan who I have learned so much from, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David Apatang, Mayor Ramon Camacho, and so many others. But most importantly, this wouldn’t be possible without my family. My wife Daisy, our four children, and all the uncles and aunties who have been there from Day 1,” he said.

Republican Party chair Diego Benavente also came out to vote yesterday morning sharing that early voting is a chance to make sure that you get your vote in.

“I’m hoping that voters will come out to vote early. Over the years we find that during election day, many are unable to come down to the polls for whatever reason so I’m encouraging all my friends, family, and supporters to make sure that we do vote this year. Come out and vote early so you don’t have to worry about not being able to vote on election day,” he said.

CNMI resident Dolores Mendiola Aldan also encourages everyone to come out and vote this election season.

“It’s a blessed day and I am encouraging all the people out there to come out and vote. This is your chance. It’s a good opportunity for your voices to be heard. Let our delegates candidates work for us. I am asking all the people of the CNMI to please consider voting for Kimberlyn King-Hinds. She is an attorney and the best person I know who will [be able] to fight for us,” she said.