Applications being accepted for absentee voters

All registered voters who expect to be away from the Northern Mariana Islands on election day, November 5, 2005, may cast their ballots by absentee voting, according to the Commonwealth Election Commission.

To vote by absentee ballot, a registered voter must complete and submit to the commission an application to vote by absentee voting by Oct. 26, 2005.

Registered voters who are presently away from the Northern Mariana Islands and expect to be away on election day may download the form at http://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/absentee_ballot.pdf, provide the information requested on the form and mail the form to the Commonwealth Election Commission, P. O. Box 500470, Saipan, MP, 96950-0470.

The commission encourages all absentee voters to apply as early as possible.

All applicant must provide to the commission an address where the applicant expects to be in mid-September or in October 2005. Applicants who provide the commission with an address and then changed addresses will have their ballots mailed to the address on record and this may delay the applicant’s receipt of their ballot and thus delay their casting their ballot by Nov. 5.

Registered voters outside the Northern Mariana Islands must also have their absentee voting applications completed and postmarked not later than Oct. 26, 2005. All applications to vote via absentee voting after the Oct. 26, 2005 deadline must be made by personal delivery by the applicant to the commission’s office, must be for emergency or unanticipated absence from the Northern Mariana Islands, and must be approved by the executive director.

Only registered voters can apply to vote by absentee voting and ballots for absentee voting will only be provided to only those that apply.

Those serving in the Armed Forces are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Troops of Echo Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, may obtain an application form from Sgt. Peter Towai or may download the form at the address given above. Service men and women in other locations should download the form from the address given above.

Anyone needing assistance in applying to vote by absentee voting are asked to contact the Commission at (670) 664-VOTE or by email to cec@saipan.com, cec@vzpacifica.net or info@votecnmi.gov.mp.