THOUSANDS have already cast their votes in the CNMI’s third gubernatorial runoff election.
Data from the Commonwealth Election Commission showed an increase in voter turnout in the first three days of the early voting period: about 29.3% more than the early voter turnout from Nov. 1 to 3.
In the first three days of early voting for the runoff, there were 20.34% more early voters from Saipan, 86% more from the Northern Islands, 65% more from Tinian, and 48.9% more from Rota compared to early voter turnout from Nov. 1 to 3.
There were 934 people who voted on the first day of early voting for the runoff; 1,164 on the second day; and 1,281 on the third day.
Going head-to-head in the runoff election are Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his former running mate, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.
A Republican, Torres is running with Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan while Palacios is running as an Independent with Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang.
Today, Friday, is the last day to vote in the runoff.
Yesterday, Thanksgiving, was the last day of the early voting period.
Absentee ballots
CNMI election law states that the Commonwealth Election Commission must provide an official ballot, a ballot envelope, an affidavit prescribed by the CEC, and a reply envelope to each registered absentee voter.
The CEC had until Nov. 15 to mail out the runoff absentee ballots.
The last day to receive absentee ballot applications over the counter was on Nov. 17.
The absentee voter must mark the ballot in the usual manner provided by law, and in a manner such that no other person can know how the ballot is marked.
S/he must then place the ballot in the ballot envelope and securely seal it, before completing and executing the affidavit.
The ballot envelope and the affidavit must be enclosed and sealed in the covering reply envelope and mailed via standard U.S. First Class Mail only, or sent by commercial courier service to the CEC at the expense of the voter.
Such ballots and affidavits will not be counted by the commission unless mailed, including ballots and affidavits sent through the postal or courier services.
The CEC executive director coordinates with the Office of the Public Auditor on the proper procedure of mailing absentee ballots to voters “to ensure that the absentee ballots are unmarked, sealed, and mailed accordingly.”
In the case of a runoff election, an absentee ballot shall be postmarked no later than the day of the runoff election, and must be received by the CEC no later than 14 calendar days after the date of the runoff election, which in this case, will be Friday, Dec. 9.
An absentee ballot may be rejected if, after comparing the signature of the voter on the application for absentee ballot with that on the affidavit and registration, it appears the signatures were not made by the same person.
Absentee ballots may also be rejected if the affidavit is not properly completed, the return envelope is not sealed, the seal appears to have been tampered with, the CEC has already received an absentee ballot from that person, the absentee voter has died or has otherwise become ineligible to vote on election day, or the ballot has been received after the deadline.
If a ballot is rejected, then the word “rejected” will be printed on the return envelope, along with a short statement of the reason for rejection, signed by five election commissioners.
The rejected ballot may not be delivered to the accounting and tabulation committee, but must be maintained in a secure place by the CEC for at least six months after the election.
All absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before the day of the runoff election, or Friday, Nov. 25.
Polling places
Polling places and times for the runoff remain the same as the Nov. 8 general election day.
OPA assists the CEC in monitoring polling places “to prevent and detect any fraud and any abuse at the polling places during special elections, early voting, and election day.”
Polling places are designated and publicized by the CEC executive director no later than 15 days before an election day.
Campaign activities are prohibited within 300 feet of polling places.
Specimen ballots must be posted near the entrances to each polling place. To view the online version of the specimen ballots, visit https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/run-off-election-information/.
Curbside voting is also available at each polling place.
Keys to ballot boxes used at each polling place are kept by the Office of the Public Auditor.
Department of Public Safety personnel must be stationed at each polling place at all hours that the polling place is open.
For more information, visit votecnmi.gov.mp or contact the CEC at (670) 235-8682/3/5 or cec@votecnmi.gov.mp/. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
