‘After election, we are still family’

Despite the typically high emotions that elections usually arouse in people, there has been no report of any disruptive behavior in voting sites in the northern part of Saipan. In fact, many of those who are running in this election are just relieved that Election Day is finally here.

A COVID-19 Task Force member stationed at the Gregorio T Camacho Elementary School told Saipan Tribune that the day has been really “chill” so far and there have been no untoward incidents nor fighting.

While interviewing several supporters of the Republican Party, one businesswoman, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed the importance of camaraderie, saying that, at the end of the election, “we are still family.” She noted that, after the election, regardless of whoever wins, the unity of people is important. She agreed that, although people must vote based on what they stand for and believe in, at the end of the day, it must not tear apart the family bonds the CNMI has.

Rep. Christina “Tina” Sablan (D-Saipan), who is the gubernatorial candidate of the Democratic Party of the NMI, said she and her running mate, Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan), are excited to have finally come to this day. “Everyone’s been working really hard for the past year, [and] we’re really proud of the campaign we’ve run and just feeling really hopeful. We’re very excited to finally see the results,” she said.

Sablan said that she and Staffler have been visiting their supporters on the northside since yesterday morning. “Everybody’s in good spirits, everyone’s feeling really great and optimistic. Now, you know it’s up to the people to decide.”

As for a possible electoral run-off, Sablan conceded that the 50%-plus-1 rule that would trigger a run-off election “are pretty high odds to meet.”

“It’s really up to the people, but if there is a runoff we’re ready for it,” she added

Jesus Teigita, chair for Republican candidates Rep. Joseph ‘Lee Pan’ Guerrero, Rep. Angel Demapan, and Cecelia Taitano, was more optimistic about the possibility of a run-off. “I’m not expecting that. I’m expecting a home run,” he said.

Precinct 4’s Rep. Joel C. Camacho (Ind-Saipan) said that they’ve had some good reception so far. “We spend quite a lot of man-hours on this precinct. We care deeply about Precinct 4. …I’m going on my thrd term, so hopefully I’ll be blessed by the people to be given the opportunity to serve again. But yeah, happy to be here on Election Day. It’s always such a great day to participate in our democracy.”

The 2022 election is also a first for many young voters in the CNMI. Among this group is Kuuipo Teigita, a 21-year-old returning resident in the CNMI. “Since it’s my first time from the [United] States, it’s my first time seeing the whole process from start to finish, so witnessing stuff like the motorcades and the rallies were really cool to see, just because that’s not something you see often in the States. Especially the community that comes together, that was really nice to see as well.”