NMC: All set for casino referendum today

The Current Issues class of the Northern Marianas College is all set for today’s first ever casino survey in an attempt to gauge public opinion on a proposal to allow casinos on Saipan.

Czarina Jucutan, the class’ central committee chairperson, said yesterday that the referendum aims to draw in the participation of at least 60 percent of the over 12,000 registered voters on Saipan.

The results of the referendum are non-binding.

The early voting on Wednesday and yesterday garnered only 158 voters. Jucutan is hoping for a higher turnout in today’s survey, which is from 8am to 5pm.

Based on Commonwealth Election Commission records, Saipan has a total of 12,527 registered voters as of Oct. 14: District I, 4,130; District II, 1,192; District III, 3,175; District IV, 1,694; and District V, 2,336.

Voters may vote by going to their designated precinct poll stations:

– The NMC Building D for residents of San Antonio, San Vicente, and Koblerville areas;

-The Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center for voters from Susupe, Chalan Kanao, Oleai, and Garapan.

-The Legislature’s lobby for voters from Tanapag, San Roque, Capital Hill, and Northern Islands; and

– The Kagman Community Center for Kagman residents.

Like regular elections, the survey process will be in compliance with CNMI election procedures. The ballot has only one question, answerable by a “yes” or a “no”: Shall there be casino gambling in the Third Senatorial District (Saipan)?

Election Commission executive director Robert Guerrero told Saipan Tribune yesterday that all four agency personnel and the board chairperson will provide technical assistance to the NMC students to ensure that proper procedures and guidelines are adhered to.

“CEC will serve as an advisory council to the students in the entire process. All four employees will be at the polling sites [today] to provide technical assistance,” he said, adding that prior to the actual survey, CEC worked with the students and briefed them on the proper procedures in conducting the activity.

Jucutan said the Office of the Public Auditor has already confirmed the participation of its four employees who they will be fielded to each of the polling sites.

NMC has yet to receive any confirmation from the Office of the Attorney General as of press time yesterday if it will also participate in the process as an observer.

Jucutan said that students will serve as the activity’s poll watchers and they will tabulate the ballots after the 5pm closing of all polling places.

Dubbed as an advisory referendum, poll results will be submitted to the Senate to guide senators on their next steps relating to present and future casino legislation. The survey is being conducted at the request of Senate President Paul Manglona and Sen. Ralph Torres.

Saipan voters first rejected the casino initiative in the 2007 election.

In the Commonwealth, casino operation is only allowed on Tinian.

Advocates of Saipan casinos claim that this industry will save the dwindling economy of the island.