The House leadership included Babauta’s House Bill 21-129 on the Dec. 10 session agenda for the introduction of bills. It is likely to be referred to the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee.
Babauta has requested the Commonwealth Election Commission to comment on the bill.
Aside from shortening the residency duration, H.B. 21-129 will also reduce the voter registration period to 30 days from 60 days before Election Day, and amend the definition of “domicile” and “residency” to make it clear that only bona fide CNMI residents are eligible to vote in CNMI elections.
The bill will likewise align the number of days allowed to change election precincts so that it is consistent with the voter registration period and residency duration requirement.
H.B. 21-129 defines “domicile” as the status or attribution of being a lawful permanent resident in a particular jurisdiction. Under existing law, “domicile” means the “place in which a person maintains a residence with the intention of continuing the residence for an unlimited or indefinite period, and to which that person has the intention of returning whenever absent, even for an extended period.”
Babauta’s bill redefines “residence” as a fixed and permanent abode or dwelling place for the time being or for a considerable length of time.
Moreover, the bill includes a provision to allow persons who are “temporarily absent” to vote in CNMI elections.
A person is “temporarily absent” when the person is temporarily out of the Commonwealth or the election district for reasons of business, education, work training or assignment, government representation, military service, medical referral, medical reasons, natural disaster, or unsafe environmental conditions or employment.
In an interview on Wednesday, Babauta said if his bill does not become law before the 21st Legislature adjourns sine die, he is hoping that it will be revisited by the 22nd Legislature whose members will assume office in January.
