“Everything is right on its course,” Frances Sablan told Variety. “We’re ready.”
She said she’s happy to be a part of a historic election.
“My term is ending in May of next year,” she added. “I am glad that I can see another election, especially, one that is really significant. Our commission staff members have been working very hard. But funding is an issue right now. We already put in our request and we’re waiting for the funds to be put into our hands.”
Their funding request covers the wages of their temporary staff members, preparing precincts for the election, among other poll-related duties.
The commission wrapped up last week its registration of voters for the Nov. 4 election.
As of Sept. 2, 12,577 voters had registered — 10,104 from Saipan; 1,351 from Rota; and 1,122 from Tinian.
This number was expected to go up once the commission completes registering all qualified voters, including those based in the states and abroad.
Nine candidates are running: TV talk show host John Oliver Gonzales, Ind.; businessman Chong Won, Ind.; former Tinian Sen. David M. Cing, Democratic Party; retired Judge Juan T. Lizama, Ind.; Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, Republican Party; Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, Ind.; public school teacher John Davis, Ind.; on-leave Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Gregorio C. Sablan, Ind.; and; Saipan municipal council member Felipe Q. Atalig.
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