Off-island absentee voters are still hoping for the best

A number of off-island absentee voters are crossing their fingers and praying that their absentee ballots will arrive on time before the Nov. 21 deadline for them to send their ballots back to the CNMI.

Marianas High School alumnus Ken Igisaiar Concepcion, now in San Diego, CA, said he still hasn’t received his absentee ballots as of yesterday, Nov. 17, Pacific Standard Time.

“For us mainlanders it should not be a problem if we get it this week but what about those serving in the military that are deployed with an APO or AP address, which get their mail two or more weeks later? Their vote will not be counted and also our citizens living in foreign countries that vote such as in the Philippines or other countries that get their mail much later. I don’t think they will get their ballots on time,” he said in a Facebook message to Saipan Tribune.

CNMI San Diego Club president David Atalig said he is not actually sweating the delay of the arrival of the absentee ballots but nonetheless said it would lessen the anxiety of absentee voters if they arrive sooner than later.

“I believe that it will be fine—especially since we don’t need to get our votes notarized like we did years ago. People in Hawaii are starting to get their ballots but I haven’t received my ballot, yet. Some are actually getting antsy,” he said.

Atalig, who is the finance director of the housing, dining, and hospitality department of the University of California-San Diego, said he and other absentee voters would really feel bad if they don’t get their ballots before Nov. 21.

“I will feel we didn’t get our opportunity to vote, our right to vote, especially in a heated race for the governorship,” he said in a message on Facebook.

Gus Litulumar, who works for the U.S. State Department and is assigned in a country in Asia, said the Commonwealth Election Commission should prioritize absentee ballots for overseas CNMI residents.

“Everyone who lives abroad and still voting in the CNMI should definitely be prioritized to receive their absentee ballots. I hope I will receive mine this week. If it’s not on time, I hope the election board will still accept ours and give us another 30 days.”

Last Monday, CEC executive director Robert Guerrero said that CEC mailed over 2,300 absentee ballots last Nov. 10.

The absentee ballots are meant for the Nov. 21 gubernatorial runoff election between NMI Republican Party bet Gov. Eloy S. Inos and his running mate, Senate President Ralph DLG. Torres, and independent and former speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider and his running mate, former Senate floor leader Ray N. Yumul.