THE Democratic Party of the NMI is looking for volunteers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota to assist in the presidential primary next month, the party announced on Tuesday.
In a statement, the party said volunteers are needed to assist with registration, ballot access, ballot tabulation, voter file registry and other duties.
Those interested can text the word VOLUNTEER to (670) 484-EMS (3367) or email the word VOLUNTEER to info@nmidems.org with their name and contact information. They can visit www.nmidems.org to learn more.
On the ballot for the NMI Democratic Party’s presidential primary scheduled for March 5 to 12 are President Joe Biden, Jason M. Palmer, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and Marianne Williamson, who suspended her candidacy early this month.
The party said anyone interested in participating in the primary must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the NMI and 18 years of age or eligible to vote on or before Nov. 5, 2024.
Democrats on Saipan, Tinian and Rota will be able to visit designated polling sites, register to vote if they haven’t already, register with the party, and cast votes for their preferred Democratic presidential candidate.
NMI Democrats will also elect eight delegates to represent the Commonwealth at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19 to 22. The convention will nominate the Democratic candidates for president and vice president.
The final day of the NMI Democratic primary will be held on March 12 at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe with simultaneous sub-primaries on Tinian and Rota.
Additional details are forthcoming. Individuals interested in becoming delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention pledged to one of the presidential candidates are encouraged to visit www.nmidems.org/. Download the delegate candidacy form, fill it out, and email it to NMI Democratic Party Chair Jonathan P. Cabrera at cabrerajjp@gmail.com/.
The deadline to file delegate candidacies is Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.
NMI Democratic Party Executive Director Nola Hix is hoping to see more youth participation in an “exciting first ever presidential primary next month. “
“The 2022 elections hosted the largest voter turnout in the CNMI’s history with over 19,275 voters registered, and 14,750 voters who exercised their rights to vote. That was phenomenal, and we encourage [Northern Marianas College] and the public and private schools to continue to turn out that vote by encouraging students to participate. I encourage teachers to find incentives in getting their students to register to vote … and it doesn’t hurt to get involved by volunteering as well,” Hix said.
