THE early voting period on Rota, Tinian and Saipan starts today, Tuesday, Oct. 29, and will end on Nov. 4, according to the Commonwealth Election Commission. Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“I encourage all registered voters to come out and exercise their right to vote! CEC believes every voice should be heard, and every vote should be counted,” CEC Executive Director Kayla Igitol said.
Earlier, a CEC board member proposed the manual tabulation of the ballots citing the “long delay in tabulation” during the previous election.
But, according to Igitol, the election commission met on Oct. 21, and “they voted to use the tabulation machine.”
This year, CNMI voters will elect a new congressional delegate, three senators, 20 House members, nine municipal council members and three Board of Education members. They will also decide on whether to retain Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio.
The CEC has certified a total of 61 candidates. As of August, the CNMI’s total number of registered voters was 18,129, including absentee voters.
For the early voting period, polling places will open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. each day, inclusive of weekends and holidays, the CEC stated.
“If you know that you will be unable to visit your polling place on Election Day, we encourage you to take advantage of the early voting process. Please remember to bring an ID with you to help speed up the verification process conducted by election officials,” the CEC added.
The commission also provided important information regarding confined voting and curbside voting.
– Confined voting. This service is available for individuals who are unable to vote in person due to health reasons. Only family members are allowed to request confined voting for their relatives. Please note that requests for this service must be made by 12 noon each day.
– Curbside voting. This is available exclusively for elderly and disabled voters. “We kindly ask that this service be used only by those who truly need it to ensure a smooth experience and prevent congestion at polling locations,” the CEC said.
Where to vote
The polling places for the early voting period are as follows:
• Northern Islands only — From Sept. 21 to Oct. 17, CEC conference room in Susupe. From Oct. 18 to Nov. 4, Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
• 1st Senatorial District — Rota DPS Command Building, Songsong village (including residents of Tinian, Saipan and Northern Islands temporarily on Rota).
• 2nd Senatorial District — Tinian Public Library in San Jose (including residents of Rota, Saipan and Northern Islands temporarily on Tinian).
• 3rd Senatorial District — Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe (including residents of Rota, Tinian and Northern Islands temporarily on Saipan).
On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, polling places will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The polling places are:
• Precinct 1A (San Antonio) – Hopwood Junior High School cafeteria (football field entrance)
• Precinct 1B-1 and B-2 (San Vicente/Dandan) – Dandan Middle School cafeteria (Dandan baseball/softball entrance)
• Precinct 1C (Koblerville) – Koblerville Elementary School cafeteria
• Precinct 2 (Chalan Kanoa/Susupe) – Joeten-Kiyu Public Library
• Precinct 3A (San Jose/Oleai) – Oleai Elementary School cafeteria
• Precinct 3B-1 and B-2 (Garapan) – Garapan Elementary School cafeteria
• Precinct 4A (Tanapag) – Tanapag Youth Center
• Precinct 4B (San Roque/As Matuis) – Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School cafeteria
• Precinct 4C (Capital Hill) – the Honorable Jesus P. Mafnas Legislative Building (House chamber)
• Precinct 4D (Northern Islands) – Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan
• Precinct 5, 1 and 2 (Kagman) – Chacha Ocean View Middle School cafeteria
• Precinct 6 (Tinian & Aguiguan) – Tinian Elementary School cafeteria
• Precinct 7 (Rota) – Rota NMC, Room B-2
