His students who will conduct the referendum said they are right on schedule.
The polling centers on Nov. 4 are at NMC’s Building D for Precinct 1 voters; the multi-purpose center for Precincts 2 and 3 voters; the legislative building for Precinct 4 voters; and the Kagman Community Center for Precinct 5 voters.
Those who want to vote early can do so on Nov. 2 at the Manamko’ Center from 8 a.m., to 12 noon, and on Nov. 3 at NMC from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
The conduct of the referendum will comply with CNMI election procedures, McPhetres said.
CNMI voters who will register on Oct. 21 will be eligible to participate.
Because it is advisory in nature, McPhetres said the results of the referendum will not automatically legalize casino on Saipan.
Its purpose, he added, is only to advise the lawmakers about the position of Saipan voters on the casino issue.
It’s still up to the lawmakers whether to pass enabling legislation, he said.
“Although the advisory referendum will be non-binding it will assist the leaders of the CNMI in deciding whether to propose any law or policy regarding casinos,” said students Czarina Jucutan, Roland Dowai and Lauren Chadwick who are members of the central committee.
The question that will be on the ballot is: ”Shall there be casino gambling in the third senatorial district?” Voters will have to answer either yes or no.
The Commonwealth Election Commission will assist the students by providing them the ballot boxes. The Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Public Auditor will provide poll watchers.
McPhetres said 60 students will conduct the referendum.
The Legislature provides some funding, but the amount was not disclosed during yesterday’s media conference at NMC.
They have prepared 8,000 ballots, Jucutan said, adding that they are expecting a 60 percent turnout based on previous polls they conducted.
McPhetres said holding the advisory referendum on Nov. 4, which is Citizenship Day, will add more significance to the holiday.
Dowai said the advisory referendum is very important because “it will help determine our future.”
Whether Saipan casino legalization is passed or not, is not their concern, Dowai said. Their concern is to give the people the chance to exercise their right to decide on an important issue, he added.
