Edward C. Camacho, Northern Marianas College faculty member and coordinator of its criminal justice program, asked how the public information on the initiatives, which are proposals to amend the Constitution, was being carried out in the community.
He said the lack of information may result in low voter participation.
NMC’s social issues class of Sam McPhetres has been distributing pamphlets and conducting forums on House Legislative Initiatives 16-13, 16-18 and 17-1.
But online commentator Ruth L. Tighe said the materials distributed to the community have limited information.
“There’s a lot more that needs to be discussed,” she said. “The information is very incomplete.”
She noted that H.L.I. 16-18 and 17-1 involve considerable amounts of money that would have a significant impact on the government’s financial situation.
NMC students who conducted the forum said they are holding a series of public information drives on Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
Student Leonard Leon said they have distributed pamphlets and displayed posters at different “strategic” places such as stores and the street market.
He said they have radio and newspaper advertisements and have also attended PTA meetings to further disseminate information about the initiatives, which were translated into Chamorro and Carolinian.
McPhetres said the people are very thankful for their efforts. “We cover as much as we can cover,” he added.
Last Friday’s forum at NMC was the second held by the social issues class.
On Election Day in November, McPhetres said they will conduct a CNMI voting accessibility survey.
The survey, he said, will determine how people with disabilities are accommodated during the election process, and what improvements are needed to be implemented to allow more of them to vote.
McPhetres said the survey will be conducted in collaboration with the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., the Commonwealth Election Commission and NMC.
