CNMI voters to chart commonwealth's future in closely watched election
By Bryan Manabat
Saipan—Northern Mariana Islands voters are headed to the polls on Tuesday to decide the commonwealth's political direction for the next four years as three gubernatorial tickets and three attorney general candidates compete in races predicted to go to a runoff.
The Republican ticket of former Gov. Ralph Torres and Benjamin Jones Jr. is campaigning to restore economic stability, strengthen tourism and federal partnerships, and support educators.
Independent candidates Rep. Jonathan "BJ" Attao and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez are running on a platform of transparency, accountability and ethical leadership under the slogan "A Voice for All." Their campaign has received endorsements from Gov. David M. Apatang and former CNMI delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan.
The independent ticket of former Education Commissioner Lawrence Camacho and former Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero is
promoting what it calls "a journey for real change," centered on a 90-day plan to stabilize government operations, activate the economy and build long-term resilience.
Voters also will choose the Commonwealth's next attorney general, with attorneys Joaquin "Jack" Torres, Jonathan "Robbie" Glass and Michael Evangelista vying to become only the second elected attorney general in CNMI history.
As campaigning winds down, more than 5,400 voters across Saipan, Tinian and Rota have already cast ballots through early voting.
The Commonwealth Election Commission reported 5,417 early voters as of Sunday, representing about 29.2 percent of the CNMI's 18,521 registered voters across 13 election districts. The voter rolls include 1,420 registered absentee voters.
Despite the substantial turnout, CEC Executive Director Kayla Igitol Magofna said early voting fell short of expectations.
"I was expecting more," Magofna said, noting previous elections attracted between 900 and 1,000 voters on the first day of early voting alone.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and voters must present a valid photo ID before receiving a ballot.
On Saipan, voters will cast ballots at schools, community centers and government facilities assigned to their precincts, including Hopwood Junior High School, Dandan Middle School, Saipan Southern High School, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Oleai and Garapan elementary schools, Tanapag Youth Center, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, the Jesus P. Mafnas Legislative Building and Chacha Oceanview Middle School.
Precinct 6 voters on Tinian will vote at the Tinian Youth Center, while Precinct 7 voters on Rota will cast ballots at Northern Marianas College. Northern Islands voters will vote on Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan.
Magofna said the commission has not received any complaints alleging election irregularities during the early voting period, aside from minor concerns involving poll watchers remaining too long at polling sites after observing daily ballot counts.
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Absentee ballots received through the mail will remain at the U.S. Post Office until Election Day, when election officials will retrieve them during scheduled pickups.
The commission is also preparing for the possibility of runoff elections.
Under CNMI law, a runoff is required if no gubernatorial ticket or attorney general candidate receives more than half of all votes cast and counted. Any runoff election would be held 14 days after the Commonwealth Election Commission certifies the election results.
"Make your voice be heard," Magofna said, encouraging eligible voters who have not yet cast ballots to participate.
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