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Big turnout seen in today’s start of early voting
Hasselback to look into case of 85 ‘dual voters’
George Lloyd Hasselback
The Commonwealth Election Commission expects a big turnout in today’s start of the seven-day early voting on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
As this developed, CEC hired yesterday former Office of the Public Auditor legal counsel George Lloyd Hasselback to serve as an administrative hearing officer that will review the cases of the 85 “dual voters.”
CEC executive director Julita A. Villagomez and CEC administrative officer Kayla Igitol said yesterday that they anticipate many voters to show up at the opening day of the early voting—just like in the last general election.
Villagomez and Igitol reminded voters that early voting will end on Nov. 7 so there is no reason for them to all come today, Tuesday.
Voting places for early voters will be open even on Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30pm to 4pm.
The two said Northern Island voters will be voting at the early voting and not during the Nov. 8 general election.
Igitol said “confine voters” or those who are sick or are not physically able to go to a polling place on election day should call CEC so they can also avail of early voting.
For Saipan voters, early voting will be held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
For Tinian and Rota voters, the designated polling places for early voters are the islands’ Department of Public Safety buildings.
Meanwhile, CEC officials and staff had a brief meeting with Hasselback yesterday afternoon at CEC’s office in Susupe.
Villagomez said Hasselback accepted the position as administrative hearing officer and will start this week looking into the case of the 85 “dual voters.”
Villagomez disclosed that as of yesterday at 3:50pm, 13 of those 85 “dual voters” contacted CEC.
Villagomez said they will contact those 13 to set a schedule for hearing, if necessary.
Hasselback confirmed that he was indeed hired as CEC’s administrative hearing officer and that he is happy to do so.
“I will be studying the case file and figure out what’s going on,” the lawyer said.
Those 85 who have been found by CEC to be “dual voters” are still allowed to cast their votes. CEC sent them ballots because they don’t want to take away their right to vote.
As CEC administrative hearing officer, Hasselback will conduct a voter removal hearings and voter challenges.
