Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Kayla Igitol, left, receives official documents from Tinian Rep. Patrick San Nicolas, who was with his family members and other supporters as he filed his candidacy Friday morning.
THERE were 18,018 registered voters, including absentee voters, on Saipan, Tinian and Rota as of Aug. 2, 2024, Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Kayla Igitol said.
Also, as of Friday, only 11 individuals had officially submitted their candidacies to the CEC for this year’s election, she said.
“Maybe because it’s a midterm election — our voters are not as active … that is why it seems so slow,” Igitol said.
She noted that a senatorial candidate must submit a nominating petition with 100 signatures; a House candidate, 50 signatures; and a delegate candidate, 200 signatures.
She said the other requirements include organizational reports, waiver forms and filing fees.
Igitol is encouraging citizens to update their voter registration and for new voters to come in and register.
“Your vote is important — that is your voice,” she added.
“Sept. 6 is the deadline for new voter registration. They can also look up our website at www.votecnmi.gov.mp for any other information they need,” Igitol said.
Rota special election
With the resignation of former Board of Education Chairman Herman Atalig in June, a special election for the BOE on Rota will be held on Aug. 14. Atalig’s four-year term would have ended in January 2025.
Igitol said there is one certified candidate: Daniel Ogo Quitigua.
She said the special election will start next week while early voting begins on Aug. 7 and ends on Aug. 13.
“The special election is on Aug. 14, and this is only for the first senatorial district (Rota) and only for the BOE vacancy,” Igitol added.
