REPORTERS’ NOTEBOOK

About 20 people were waiting in line at the San Antonio Elementary precinct at 6:45am, 15 minutes before the polls officially opened.

Former Rep. Pete Castro, a member of the 13th Legislature, was one of the community members waiting in line. Castro said he was voting for Gregorio Camacho Sablan because he is the best candidate to improve “not only the physical conditions of the island, but the livelihood of the people on the island.”

Department of Public Safety officer Eric David, stationed at the San Vicente Elementary precinct, said within 30 minutes of opening the polling station, about 100 people had voted. David was making sure voters were not wearing clothing that would indicate who they were voting for and making sure there were no arguments. He was also making sure campaigners were 300 feet away from the polling location.

“They’ve been cooperating,” he said. “It’s been good.”
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Dolores Agulto, an election worker at San Vicente Elementary, said she had to wake up at 5am and would work past 8pm, but it’s worth it, she said.

“It’s helping the candidates and the CNMI government,” she added.
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Santiago Tudela, Department of Public Safety commissioner, voted at San Vicente Elementary around 8:30am, as did several officers from the Department of Corrections
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Campaign tents for Chong Won, Pete A. Tenorio, Gregorio Camacho Sablan, John Gonzales and Luis Crisostimo were set up outside San Antonio Elementary. Wong, Sablan, Tenorio and Crisostimo also had campaign tents set up near San Vicente Elementary. Juan T. Lizama supporters set up two tents.
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Of the candidates who put up tents near polling places on Saipan, Municipal Councilor Felipe Atalig’s was seen to have the least number of supporters hanging around. High school teacher John Davis and former Tinian Sen. David Cing didn’t put up tents at all.
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Joseph M. Mendiola was among the supporters of retired judge Juan T. Lizama who was seen waving to motorists near Kagman Community Center. Mendiola also flashed motorists with a self-made keychain with his alias “Damoa” and the number 4, which is Lizama’s number on the ballots. Mendiola claimed that he had predicted all major election results in the CNMI as well as the federalization of the Commonwealth’s immigration. By today, Wednesday, or in the next couple of days, it can be told whether Mendiola is indeed a seer or is simply wrong this time.
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At San Vicente Elementary School, many candidates’ supporters and family members lined the shoulder of the road to wave to motorists. The relentless shouting of two individual supporters made the campaign lively. A woman would scream “All the way No. 2, thank you!” A man would immediately follow her chant, roaring “No. 8!”
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Most candidates are aware of the importance of being seen at polling places where there are many registered voters. Shortly before noon, Sen. Luis Crisostimo, retired Judge Juan T. Lizama, TV talk show host Oliver Gonzales, and former Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Gregorio Sablan were all seen waving to motorists near San Vicente Elementary School.