21-day early voting for Saipan, NI starts today

The Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe is one of the four designated polling sites for the 21-day early voting for Saipan and Northern Islands that will start today, Tuesday. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

The 21-day early voting for Saipan and Northern Islands in this year’s general elections will start today, Tuesday, at four designated polling places.

Commonwealth Election Commission administrative officer Kayla Igitol said yesterday that they’ve already set up the polling sites and that they’re ready for today’s early voting.

Igitol is encouraging people to exercise their right to vote. “Bring a mask and prepare to stand in line,” she said, adding that voters should observe COVID-19 directives.

She also advises voters not to rush as they have 21 days to avail of the early voting process.

Early voting for Saipan and Northern Islands will end on Nov. 2.

The elections will be on Nov. 3.

For those who are 55 years old and above and those with disabilities, voting hours will be from 8am to 9am. Voting hours for all registered voters will be from 9am to 5pm.

For voters from Precinct 1A or San Antonio, Precinct 1B or San Vicente, and Precinct 1C or Koblerville, the polling site is the Koblerville Youth Center in Koblerville.

For voters from Precinct 2 or Chalan Kanoa, Precinct 3A or San Jose, and Precinct 3B or Garapan, the polling site is the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

For voters from Precinct 4D or Northern Islands, from Precinct 6 or Tinian and Aguiguan, and from Precinct 7 or Rota, but are temporarily staying on Saipan, the polling place is also at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

For voters from Precinct 4A or Tanapag, Precinct 4B or San Roque, Precinct 4C or Capital Hill, the polling site is the Tanapag Youth Center in Tanapag.

Voters from Precinct 5 or Kagman, shall vote at the Kagman Community Center in Kagman.

The CEC said that voters must ensure that they bring with them an identification card with a picture (e.g., driver’s license or passport) as they will be required to present it in order to be issued a ballot at the polling sites.

The seven-day early voting on Tinian and Rota will start on Oct. 27.

There are 68 certified candidates, including Edwin K. Propst who recently resigned as representative of Precinct 1.

The candidates are 21 Republicans, 18 Democrats, nine independents, and 20 non-partisans.

Associate Justice Perry B. Inos, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, who are up for retention on the bench, are considered non-partisans. The other non-partisans are candidates for municipal council and Board of Education.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Ind-MP) is running unopposed for his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives.