The recently adjourned 10th Youth Congress wants the more populous schools and districts to have more seats in the Youth Congress.
The CNMI youth will elect 23 youth senators this September.
Youth Congress coordinator George N. Camacho said the reorganization will be a big help in achieving a better result during this year’s election.
Registration begins on Sept. 8.
Since the program’s inception in 1998, the Legislative Bureau has recorded low turnouts for the Youth Congress elections despite an increase in the number of registered voters.
In 1998 and 1999, there were 1,200 and 1,542 registered youth voters, but no turnout figures were been recorded.
There were also no figures available for 2000.
In 2001, 2,653 registered of whom only 1,879 showed up on election day.
In 2002, 2,965 registered while only 1,958 voted.
In 2003, 2,670 registered and 1,825 voted.
In 2004, 2,454 registered and 1,903 voted.
In 2005, 2,931 registered and 1,942 voted.
In 2006, 3,740 registered and 1,987 voted.
In 2007, 3,870 registered and 1,939 voted.“Our plan is to create more awareness among our youth,” Camacho said. “Because most of our voters are from the schools, we want to focus there. I think it’s about time that our lawmakers reorganize the Youth Congress.”
To prevent “minor challenges” this September, an orientation will be conducted for the school personnel who will conduct the election, he added.
“Our goal is to achieve a better result and participation from our youth and make the necessary preparations for the registration and election,” he said.
Camacho at the same time lauded the 10th CNMI Youth Congress and Youth Speaker Anita Hofschneider.
“Every year, we see a more progressive Youth Congress. Good bills are being introduced and passed. The members are becoming more aware of their duties and responsibilities as young leaders in the community,” Camacho said.
