512 more signatures so that their proposal can be placed on the November ballot.
Sablan and her group gathered 3,035 signatures supporting their initiative.
The Commonwealth Election Commission, however, validated only 1,898 of the signatures.
Under the CNMI Constitution, a popular initiative should be signed by at least 20 percent of the registered voters and has to be ratified in the general election.
Deputy Attorney General Gregory Baka said as of June 7, 2008, the commission had registered 12,049 voters — thus, Sablan would need 512 more signatures to meet the 20 percent threshold.
“To summarize, unless an additional 512 valid signatures are submitted to the [AG’s Office within 10 days of today, or by Monday, 21 July 2008 (the 10th day falling on a Sunday), the attorney general would be unable to certify the initiative for the ballot this year,” Baka told Sablan in a letter dated July 10.
The government lawyer said the Legislature has until Aug. 5 only to redefine the general election term or call for a special election — otherwise, no initiatives will be included in the Nov. 4 congressional delegate election.
Prior to Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Legislature and the governor have to designate the November election as a regular general election, said Baka.
Sablan and other taxpayers are calling on their lawmakers to be more transparent on how they spend their miscellaneous funds of up to $155,000 annually.
“I am calling on all concerned citizens who want a more open and transparent Legislature to mobilize this week to help collect the 512 signatures that we need in order to get this initiative on the ballot. Every signature counts. I can be reached at 285-3935 or [email protected],” she said in a statement.
