Public Law 21-34 extended the early voting period from seven to 21 days “to mitigate the public health risk due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
But CEC administrative officer Kayla Igitol said since the early voting period started on Oct. 13, “it [has been] really slow.”
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday 4,365 had cast their vote on Saipan, 164 on Tinian and 133 on Rota.
Of the 4,365 early voters on Saipan, 1,468 were from Precinct 1; 522 from Precinct 2; 1,113 from Precinct 3; 485 from Precinct 4; and 777 from Precinct 5.
As of Sept. 9, 2020, the CNMI had 18,517 registered voters. Of this number, 14,724 were Saipan voters. The Northern Islands had 162; Tinian, 1,706; and Rota, 1,925.
Igitol said only six days are left until the last day of early voting. This is the opportunity for voters to exercise their right while adhering to the safety protocols because the more voters casting their ballots during the early voting period, the fewer the people who will head to the polling precincts on Nov. 3 will be.
Igitol said the election commission adheres to the public health directives to ensure the safety of voters as they exercise their rights.
Voters are electing a delegate to the U.S. Congress (the incumbent is running unopposed), three senators, 20 House members, nine municipal council members and three Board of Education members. Voters will also decide whether or not to retain Associate Justice Perry Inos, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja and Judge Kenneth Govendo.
