Kagman High School had 339 registered voters, but only 24 voted; Marianas High School had 210 registered voters; 97 voted; Rota High School has 98 registered voters; 46 voted; Saipan Southern High School had 379 registered voters; 67 voted; Tinian Jr./Sr. High School had 39 registered voters; 24 voted; Grace Christian had 35 registered voters; 30 voted; Marianas Baptist Academy had 26 registered voters; 25 voted.
The overall voter turnout was 28 percent.
Legislative Bureau Director Glenna P. Reyes said she was surprised by the very low turnout.
According to Marianas High School principal Craig Garrison, there were many reasons for the low turnout
“We can’t schedule around the Youth Congress election day,” Garrison said.
“While the election was going on, the students were also tending to the 50-plus activities they do on a daily basis. With the issue of lack of staff, lack of advanced preparation from the election board and the operation of clubs and other activities, such a low turnout doesn’t come across as a huge surprise,” Garrison added.
With only a few ballots to count, the certification of the result was announced earlier than expected.
As verified by House Floor Leader George N. Camacho and the school principals, the winners of the 13th CNMI Youth Congress election are Angela Malig Mamaril, Grace Christian Academy; Manatsu E. Omori, Marianas Baptist Academy; Mercedes M. Mesa, Kagman High School; Audrey Joy Ada, Marianas High School; Thomas H. Barcinas, Rota High School; Shelane Dela Cruz Borja, Saipan Southern High School; and Marquina M. Hofschneider from Tinian Jr./Sr. High School.
