ABSENTEE voting applications will be accepted starting today, Thursday, Aug. 25, according to the Commonwealth Election Commission.
The CEC has instituted an online absentee application process to streamline applications more efficiently.
To prevent any issues, and to ensure the reliability and validity of each application, an email address and photo ID are required for each applicant.
It is recommended that applicants use a desktop computer to complete their respective online applications.
Questions asked on the online application resemble those of the printed official absentee application form.
The application, which has four sections, asks for the last four digits of an applicant’s Social Security number, date of birth, gender, full name, primary phone number, secondary phone number, other phone number, email address, CNMI residential or physical address, precinct or village, island, zip code, as well as their CNMI mailing address, island, and zip code.
Applicants will also be required to provide a reason for being an absentee voter.
They likewise will be asked to provide a forwarding address, or the mailing address where the ballot will be sent.
Any errors in an applicant’s address may result in their failure to receive the official ballot.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that the information provided on their respective applications is accurate.
If an applicant is unable to sign their application, a witness will need to sign the application and must also provide the witness’ mailing address.
The CEC has provided a guide to aid individuals completing an online absentee voting application: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/media/attachments/2022/08/09/online-absentee-application-guide.pdf/
To complete an online absentee application, visit https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/voter/online-absentee-application-form.php/
For inquiries, contact CEC via email at absentee@votecnmi.gov.mp or by calling (670) 235-8683/8682/8685.
The deadline to submit absentee voting applications is Friday, Oct. 14 local time.
