Babauta is running with Board of Education member Galvin S Deleon Guerrero while Hofschneider has teamed up with Speaker Arnold I. Palacios.
GOP President Ed Tenorio said ballot boxes were being transported to the polling places yesterday.
This is an open primary so all registered voters can participate, he added.
The polling centers open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. The votes will be counted at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Loyalty
Some supporters of the ruling Covenant Party said they are not participating in the primary.
Martin Sakisat, who ran for senator in 2007, said he has already pledged his support to the Covenant Party, and participating in the GOP primary will be an act of disloyalty to his party.
“If you are a candidate and I already pledged you my support what would you feel if you see me casting my vote for the candidates of another party?” Sakisat asked.
But Rose Ada-Hocog, a Covenant Party member, said it’s up to the individual member whether they want to participate in the GOP primary.
“If they want to exercise their right to vote, it’s up to them,” she said.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Ramon S. Deleon Guerrero said his supporter never discussed the GOP primary since they are busy with their own preparation for his campaign which will be launched next month.
But he said he and his followers will respect the Republican primary.
“We don’t have any business discussing the primary. But I wish them (Republicans) good luck,” he said.
Respect
Covenant Party Chairman Gregorio M. Camacho, in a media release, again repeated his call to respect the GOP primary.
“I respectfully ask all Covenant Party members to please respect the GOP primary process and allow Republicans to choose the candidates of their choice.”
Camacho said he regards the GOP primary as an internal Republican Party process and respects this internal party process, urging all Covenant Party loyalists to voluntarily do the same at their own discretion and using their own best judgment.
Camacho said every voter has the right to vote or not to vote, as they see fit, and noted that voters electing not to vote in the GOP primary will still be eligible to vote in the general election on Nov. 7.
Camacho stated that his call for Covenant Party members to respect the GOP process is strictly voluntarily and that no voter should be coerced into voting or not voting in the GOP primary.
“Ultimately, this is a matter for each Covenant Party member to decide for themselves, but we ask our membership to consider respecting the GOP’s internal party affairs,” said Camacho.
The following are the polling places for the primary:
Saipan
Precinct 1 — San Antonio Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School and San Vicente Elementary School
Precinct 2 — Municipal Council Office
Precinct 3 — Oleai Elementary School and Garapan Elementary School.
Precinct 4 — Tanapag Youth Center, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School and the legislative building
Precinct 5 — Kagman Community Center.
Tinian
Tinian Elementary School
Rota
Northern Marianas College cafeteria
Northern Islands, Rota and Tinian voters who are on Saipan can cast their ballots at the multi-purpose center in Susupe
