Early votes in for 3 gubernatorial bets

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres hands over his identification card to a staff of the Commonwealth Election Commission to vote at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe Thursday afternoon. Behind the governor is first lady Diann Tudela Torres. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Rep. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) smiles as she awaits her turn to cast her vote at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe Friday morning. Sablan is running for governor under the Democratic Party. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and his wife, Wella Palacios, fill up a form inside the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, where they cast their votes Friday morning. Palacios is running for governor under a unified independent team. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

All three gubernatorial candidates—Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios, and Rep. Christina “Tina” Sablan (D-Saipan)—have availed of the early voting period and have now cast their respective votes, a break from the previous political tradition of gubernatorial candidates voting on Election Day itself.

Palacios and Sablan cast their votes Friday, which was Citizenship Day in the CNMI—a local holiday—and was also the fourth day of the seven-day early voting on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Torres and his running mate voted last Thursday.

Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Kayla S. Igitol said Friday that there was a big turnout on Citizenship Day, with 931 voting at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe on Saipan, 53 on Tinian, and 41 on Rota.

Palacios arrived at the multi-purpose center past 10am, accompanied by his wife, Wella, some supporters, family members, and friends,.

Palacios’ running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, was not with the lieutenant governor. Palacios and Apatang are running for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, under a unified independent team.

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and his wife, Wella Palacios, fill up a form inside the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, where they cast their votes Friday morning. Palacios is running for governor under a unified independent team. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

After about 30 minutes later, Sablan and her running mate, Rep. Leila Haveia F. Staffler (D-Saipan), also arrived at the multi-purpose center, accompanied by the CNMI’s first governor, Carlos Camacho, Democratic Party officials, family members, and supporters.

Sablan and Staffler are gunning for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, under the Democratic Party. They are the first two women in CNMI history who are seeking the top executive positions in the government.

Torres and his running mate, Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), voted at the multi-purpose center last Thursday afternoon, which was the third day of the seven-day early voting. Torres and Sen. Sablan are the Republican Party’s bets for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

Torres and Vinnie Sablan were accompanied by their respective spouses, siblings, family members, Republican Party officials and supporters, and some Cabinet members.

Last Friday, Palacios said that he, Apatang, and their team feel good going into the Nov. 8 Election Day and that they continue to work hard even on that day (Friday).

“It’s been a long year,” said Palacios, adding that the finish line is in sight so they are going to give it all they have.

Rep. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) smiles as she awaits her turn to cast her vote at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe Friday morning. Sablan is running for governor under the Democratic Party. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

When asked about Apatang, Palacios said his running mate is going to vote with his family later that day or on Saturday.

Palacios conceded the strong possibility of having a runoff election, saying that, as much as they want to just get the matter done in one shot, the probability is there is going to be a runoff. “We’re shooting for No. 1. But at the end of the day, there are two that [will] go for [runoff race] two weeks later,” he said.

The CEC will hold a runoff election if no gubernatorial candidate gets more than 50%—or more than half—of the total votes cast and counted.

Commonwealth Election Commission election register clerk Christina K. Norita gives back to Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan) his identification card before allowing the latter to proceed inside to vote at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe Thursday afternoon. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)Palacios said they already have plans for the eventuality of a runoff election.

Reiterating their campaign slogan of “Rebuilding Trust,” Palacios said so many things that have happened in the Commonwealth in the past two years, relative to people’s confidence and people’s trust despite the many resources and the many opportunities that have been given to the CNMI. “It’s really the behavior of some of our elected leaders that has come into question,” he said.

Palacios said what the Commonwealth needs is leadership and leaders that will, at the very least, adhere to the rules, laws, regulations, statutes, and Constitution. “There shouldn’t be any room for bending those statutes, laws. That should be the most fundamental behavior, whether you are a governor, or you are a legislator, or you’re a member of the municipal council. There is a certain inherent trust that is given to you when you get elected,” he said.

Rep. Christina Sablan said it’s an exciting day to cast a vote for all Democrats on the ballot this year. “Our message to people is that change is on the ballot and we are encouraging everybody to get out and exercise their right to vote,” she said.

The lawmaker said they are ready if there is going to be a runoff election. “But of course, I think, like the other candidates, we’re probably all hoping that there will be a landslide,” she said.

Sablan said they have been working really hard and that she is so proud of the campaign that they have run.

“I am proud of the Democratic slate of candidates that are on the ballot this year. And I think that we’ve all worked really hard with our team of incredible volunteers to get our message out and encourage people to make their voices heard in this election and vote for change,” she said.

Sablan said they have chosen that day, Friday, to vote as it is historic in other ways, being Citizenship Day and also the anniversary when the Democratic Party first announced her nomination as governor.

“So it’s very meaningful to Leila and me in more ways than one. And we also know that we will be very busy on Election Day and so we wanted to make sure that we got our votes in early and today seemed like a great and symbolic day to do it,” she said.

Sablan said they are looking to restore pride and trust in the government, and that they have plans and that’s the leadership that they are offering.

Staffler said she is just really proud to be here on this historic day with her capable running mate. “And I know that we will do our best to serve the people of the CNMI as we have in the last capacities that we have had over the course of our career. And we’re ready to serve no matter what happens next,” Staffler said.