Of the 604 absentee ballots that were sent out prior to the Nov. 3 elections, 368 came back, but of this number, only 191 ballots were “good” and were counted, CEC Executive Director Julita Villagomez said.
CEC Chairman Jesus Sablan said it has been “a smooth election.”
The voter turnout is anticipated to be the same as in previous midterm elections, about 72%, said Sablan who has been a member of the election board since 2007.
The candidates received additional votes — some more than others — but there were no changes to the Nov. 3 election results. Precinct 3 Republican Rep. Ralph N. Yumul remained in sixth place, beating Democrat Corina Magofna by 41 votes. In the Tinian House race, Republican Patrick H. San Nicolas still led Democrat Frederick A. Dela Cruz and won the race by 43 votes.
The Saipan Senate election race was also close with Democrat Edith E. Deleon Guerrero garnering a total of 5,133 votes to defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Sixto K. Igisomar who received 4,928 votes — a 248-vote margin.
On Rota, independent Sen. Paul A. Manglona fended off his Republican challenger Dennis Mendiola by 98 votes. Manglona received 43 of the absentee ballots for a total of 764 votes while Mendiola received 13 absentee votes to garner a total of 666 votes.
On Tinian, the GOP’s Karl King-Nabors received 27 absentee ballots for a total of 738 while his Democratic opponent, Jose “Gurak” Cruz, got 20 absentee votes for a total of 523.
When the 22nd Legislature is sworn in, the Republicans will have nine House seats; the Democrats, eight; and independents, three. Two of the independents are aligned with the Democrats — Edmund Villagomez of Precinct 3 and Donald M. Manglona of Rota — but one of them, Joseph A. Flores of Precinct 1, caucuses with the GOP.
This means that the two political blocs in the House will have 10 members each. Variety also learned that two Republicans are vying for the speakership — Angel Demapan of Precinct 1 and the current speaker, BJ Attao of Precinct 3.
Among the Democrats who won a House seat is former House Minority Leader Edwin K. Propst, who topped the Precinct 1 race even after resigning his seat on Oct. 1, 2020. If he declines to serve, there will be a special election to fill the vacancy.
The NMI Democratic Party said it will soon make an announcement regarding Propst.
As for the Senate, it will have five Republicans, one Democrat and three independents, two of whom — Vinnie F. Sablan of Saipan and Teresita A. Santos of Rota — caucus with the GOP.
