Acting Attorney General Gregory Baka certified on Thursday the inclusion of the Open Government Act popular initiative on the ballot.
Its proponent, Rep. Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan, said she’s very happy.
“The successful placement of this initiative was the result of over two years of hard work on the part of dozens of volunteer citizens committed to improving transparency in the Legislature. Our thanks to all who helped collect signatures and engaged in public education and dialogue about the importance of a clean and honest government that serves us all,” said Sablan in a statement.
A popular initiative must have the signatures of at least 20 percent of the total number of registered voters in the CNMI to be certified and placed on the ballot.
In the Open Government Act initiative’s case, Baka said it exceeded the 20 percent threshold.
“As of Wednesday, 10 June 2009, the number of registered voters in the commonwealth was ascertained by the [Commonwealth Election Commission] staff to be 13,848. Therefore, the 20 percent requirement is 2,770 valid signatures. The CEC staff has determined that 2,979 of the submitted signatures remain valid, exceeding the required 20 percent,” Baka told Sablan.
To become law, the initiative should have that support of at least two-thirds of the votes cast in the general elections on Nov. 7.
“Because the initiative petition for the Open Government Act amendment satisfies the requirements of the Constitution of the CNMI, Article IX, Subsection 1(a), I certify that it should be submitted to the voters of the commonwealth in the next general election that is at least 90 days away. The next such election will occur on Saturday, 7 Nov. 2009,” said Baka.
