For the first time in CNMI history, the number of registered voters has breached the 17,000-mark on a general election year. As of Aug. 19, the number of registered voters reached 17,071 and is expected to grow further especially with a two-day registration drive in Portland, Oregon, where the 10th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament will be held this weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes this is the highest number of voters registered with this agency,\u201d Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Robert A. Guerrero confirmed with Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) separately said the number of registered voters back when he was Election Commission executive director was lower than 17,000.<\/p>\n
Private groups have been beefing up campaigns for young adults to register to vote, separate from the registration drives that the Election Commission has been conducting.<\/p>\n
In the 2009 general elections, there were 16,146 registered voters. During the 2005 general elections, the number was 15,118.<\/p>\n
Just like any other country, however, the actual votes cast in the CNMI is lower than the total number of registered voters in any election year.<\/p>\n
The Election Commission board certified all 99 candidates for 44 positions, which do not include the one justice and two judges that are up for retention. <\/p>\n
Of the 17,071 registered voters as of last week, over 27 percent or 4,704 is from election district 1 on Saipan, which covers San Antonio, San Vicente, and Koblerville.<\/p>\n
Over 19 percent or 3,379 is from election district 3, covering San Jose\/Oleai and Garapan.<\/p>\n
Election district 5 or Kagman so far has 2,703 registered voters, followed by election district 4 with 1,723. Election district 4 covers Tanapag, San Roque, Capital Hill, and the Northern Islands.<\/p>\n
Rota or election district 7 so far has 1,692 registered voters, while Tinian or election district 6 has 1,456.<\/p>\n
Election district 2 or the Chalan Kanoa\/Susupe area has the lowest number of registered voters at 1,414.<\/p>\n
The last day for voters\u2019 registration for the 2014 elections is on Sept. 5, just 60 days before the polls.<\/p>\n
All roads to Oregon<\/p>\n
Guerrero said there will be a 2014 general election registration drive on Aug. 30 and 31, from 10am to 5pm, at Delta Park\/Owens Sports Complex in Portland, Oregon, where the 10th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament will be held.<\/p>\n
CNMI residents who would like to register must provide a copy of either their certificate of live birth or a valid U.S. passport as proof of their U.S. citizenship upon registration.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament, which is held in different states almost every year, has become a special reunion of those from the CNMI and are now living in different parts of the U.S. mainland. During election year, the softball tournament venue has also become a stomping ground for candidates and this general election year is no different.<\/p>\n
The four gubernatorial candidates for the Nov. 4 race are all headed for Portland, Oregon. Two of them will be traveling with their running mates.<\/p>\n
Gov. Eloy S. Inos of the Republican Party left for Oregon on Sunday but will be back in the CNMI in time for Sunday\u2019s Labor Day festivities here. <\/p>\n
Democratic Party Edward \u201cTofila\u201d M. Deleon Guerrero is also headed for Oregon, and so does independent gubernatorial candidate Heinz S. Hofschneider.<\/p>\n
Another independent gubernatorial candidate, Juan N. Babauta, left Saipan yesterday afternoon for a multi-state campaign.<\/p>\n
Babauta told Saipan Tribune, while he was at the airport, that he will be attending the opening ceremonies of the CNMI\u2019s Annual Softball Tournament in Oregon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will be making a stop in Hawaii, San Diego, Las Vegas and Portland. I will return after the opening ceremonies. I look forward to meetings with our CNMI residents and talking with them about the future of the CNMI,\u201d Babauta added.<\/p>\n
The CNMI is likely headed for a gubernatorial runoff race if not one of the teams gets at least 50 percent plus 1 of the votes cast during the Nov. 4 general elections. <\/p>\n
Moreover, a special election will be held to fill a vacancy at the Senate vacated by former floor leader Ray Yumul, now a certified candidate for lieutenant governor and Hofschneider\u2019s running mate. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the request for absentee ballots started on Aug. 21, or 75 days before the general elections. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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