House Bill 16-112, which sets the ground rules for the historic election, states that the drawing of lots will determine who will assume the post in case any two candidates have an equal number of voters.
“In the event of a tie vote for the office of delegate, the tie shall be decided by the drawing of lots under the supervision of the (Commonwealth Election Commission). Each candidate shall be present at the drawing of lots along with two witnesses. The result of a drawing of lots shall be final and shall not be contested,” the bill stated.
There are six candidates for Congress — Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio; Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo; Department of Public Lands mining division chief and TV host John DLR. Gonzales; retired Superior Court Judge Juan T. Lizama; outgoing Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Gregorio M. Sablan; and former Sen. David M. Cing.
H.B. 16-112, sponsored by Rep. Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan and chairman of the House Committee on U.S. and Foreign Affairs, also sets aside $60,000 so that the election commission can hire up to five temporary employees to carry out the election process.
Under the bill, a candidate for the delegate election must be at least 25 years of age on the date of the election; a U.S. citizen for at least seven years prior to the election; a resident of the commonwealth for at least seven years; qualified to vote in the commonwealth; and not a candidate for any other public office on the date of the election.
The islands’ first elected delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives will begin his two-year term on Jan. 3, 2009.
In case of a permanent vacancy in the post, the bill states that the governor must call for a special election within 90 days after the call was made.
However, if the vacancy occurs within six months of the next general federal election, no special election will be called and the office will remain vacant.
The CNMI is the last U.S. jurisdiction to be given congressional representation.
The CNMI delegate can introduce bills, offer amendments, and vote in House committees, but will not be able to vote on the House floor.
