Last year, only 1,900 registered to vote, according to Legislative Bureau Deputy Director Glenna S.P. Reyes.
On Friday, voters who registered at schools totaled 1,975 with Marianas High School having the biggest number — 956.
Saipan Southern High School has 500 registered voters; Mount Carmel School, 150; Grace Christian Academy, 86; Marianas Baptist Academy, 70; Northern Marianas College, 46; Saipan International School, 36; Rota High School, 83; Northern Marianas Academy, 28; and Tinian High School, 20.
At the precinct level, 1,037 registered: Precinct 1 — 308; Precinct 2 — 69; Precinct 3 — 182; Precinct 4 — 188; Precinct 5 — 160; and Precinct 6 — 130.
The candidates this year include Kimberly B. Hofschneider of GCA; Seong Bin Lee and So Young Lee, MBA; Min Kyung Kim, MCS; Sunny Frank Lifoifoi Aldan, and Ga Young Jeon, NMA.
There are four candidates for NMC’s three seats — Vicky Jean Castro, Min Seon Park, Aesha De-Brum Sablan and Charlyn S. Techur.
The two SIS candidates are Annie Cotero Camacho and Madison Julia Schultz.
At MHS, the candidates are Sung Yul Tommy Baik and Leilani S. Cepeda.
Rota’s candidates are Johora A. Paeda and Sylvino O. Taisacan while Marisa D. Untalan is the candidate on Tinian.
Maria Grace Madeline B. Alvarez is the lone candidate at SSHS.
The Precinct 1 candidates are Bianca K. Blanco, Andrew C. Benavente, Tharnton T. Masayos, and Jessamin C. Santos.
Precinct 2 — Adelleyah Charlotte Mojica
Precinct 3 — You Mi Lee, Alana May Leon Guerrero, and Thomas R. Rabauliman
Precinct 4 — Maegan T. Norita and Quina Marie P. Mendiola
Precinct 5 — Tina Marie P. Mendiola
Precinct 6 — John A. Ayuyu and Viony Lynn M. Hocog
Reyes said that there are only two youth senators seeking re-election — NMC’s Vicky Jean Castro and Precinct 3’s Alana May Leon Guerrero.
“With the increase in the registration this year, we’re hoping to see a good voter turnout,” Reyes told Variety.
She said the increase was the result of more community and youth-oriented programs and the involvement of previous youth senators.
“We’re hopeful that all of them will come out and exercise their right to vote,” Reyes said.
The election at schools will start at 8 a.m. and end at 12 noon today. At Tinian and Rota High Schools, it will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the precincts and other designated polling centers, the election will be conducted from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The polling centers on Saipan include the Koblerville Youth Learning Center, the Kagman Community Center, the House of Manhoben, the Gualo Rai Learning Center and the Tanapag Youth Center.
