CANDIDATES are urging voters to cast their ballots in the gubernatorial runoff election set for Friday, Nov. 25. The first day of the early voting period starts on Friday, Nov. 18
“We want to thank all of the voters who came out to exercise their right and their duty in this election,” said Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan, the running mate of Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
“We do know that there was a significant number [who] failed to vote. Hopefully, in this runoff election, all of the people who failed to vote will come out and exercise their right [to vote] as well,” he added.
Torres-Sablan topped the gubernatorial race on Election Day, Nov. 8, garnering 5,728 votes while the Independent tandem of Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and running mate Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang finished second with 4,890 votes.
Because neither obtained a majority of the votes cast, the two teams will face each other in a gubernatorial runoff.
Democratic Reps. Christina “Tina” Sablan and Leila Staffler, who finished third in the gubernatorial race with 4,132 votes, have endorsed the Independent ticket.
“Every vote matters,” Staffler said. “We encourage everyone to go out and exercise their right. This is your chance to really make a choice. The options have narrowed. We’re asking you to vote for Palacios-Apatang because we think that is the better option for change that we hope to see…. It wasn’t the good governance that we were hoping for, but we’ll go with that for this round. That’s the only option,” Staffler added.
For her part, Rep. Sablan said, “I think this election really highlights how important every vote is. In this upcoming runoff, every vote — absolutely every vote — counts. So, for those who didn’t participate in this general election, please, please participate and cast your vote in the runoff.”
Mayor Apatang thanked all the Independent supporters, especially absentee voters who took their time to register to cast their vote in the general election.
“I would like to encourage our people to look at our position and where we stand,” he said. “We continue to ask for your support in this upcoming runoff election. We have put out where we stand — our agenda, our platform — and we continue to stand on our platform of rebuilding trust. That’s our commitment to our people of the Commonwealth.”
‘A lot is at stake’
On Election Day, Nov. 8, Variety interviewed several voters.
Mark Taisacan, 52, of Precinct 1 said, “This is how we elect leaders that are good for our island in general. A lot is at stake — our economy, fairness, and transparency. I look for a person that takes action and does good for the island, someone who will pass laws and assist the community as a whole, not just sit up there for two years, do nothing, and just piggyback on another candidate.”
He said government transparency is an issue that is most important to him, noting that the administration should be transparent in its handling of government funds, especially federal funds.
“We need to take the old dinosaurs out of politics. We need the youngsters to come in. When I vote, I vote with my heart. I vote for the person I know will do good. That is the only way for us to progress,” he added.
Precinct 2 voter George Camacho Villagomez, 60, said he looks for professionalism in a candidate.
“The support that they give, that’s what matters,” he said.
A 23-year-old resident from Precinct 3, who declined to be identified, said her parents told her who to vote for, but added that healthcare and education are issues that are most important to her.
A 67-year-old voter from Precinct 4, who also requested anonymity, said as long as she has been eligible to vote, she has never missed an opportunity to cast her ballot.
She said when determining which candidate to vote for, she looks at how they have served the community, adding that all issues are important to her, and ultimately, to the people of the CNMI.
A 22-year-old voter from Precinct 5, who declined to be identified, said every vote counts. “It doesn’t matter if we’re old or young, we should exercise our right to vote because it does count. Every vote can make a difference, can change some things, because…there are a lot of things that need to change on island,” she said.
She added that the local economy and government corruption are issues that matter most to her, saying that she voted for candidates who kept their promises without favoring family members.
This year’s gubernatorial election saw a 77.17% voter turnout, with 14,916 of the 19,329 registered voters casting their ballots.
Ballot boxes are seen at the multi-purpose center on election night, Nov. 8, 2022.
