Youth Congress prepares for polls

The Legislative Bureau is currently preoccupied with last-minute preparations for the Sept. 18 3rd CNMI Youth Congress elections where close to 2,000 youths are expected to cast their votes.

Youth Congress Clerk Nancy Sanchez expressed hopes this year’s youth elections will actually draw more voters compared to last year’s dismal turnout.

“I have a feeling that things will go smoothly this year. Since more of them actually took time to register, I think those efforts will translate to more votes,” said Ms. Sanchez.

The bureau recorded over 900 new registrants for next week’s youth polls.

“There has been an increase in number of new registrants because we conducted the registration both for precinct and school level voters,” she said.

Voter registration figures totaled 1,950 for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Youth Congress collectively.

But Ms. Sanchez said some 10 percent of the overall registrants have exceeded the maximum voting age.

Under the Youth Congress mandate, only individuals between 14 and 20 years old are eligible to vote.

Meanwhile, the Legislative Bureau is scheduled today to distribute election packets to 14 precincts and schools that will serve as voting sites.

On Monday, youth voters will have the chance to pick candidates of their choice from within their precincts or schools.

Precinct 1 candidates include Manuel Tenorio, Jr., incumbent Youth Congress Speaker Angel A. Demapan, and incumbent youth Senator Luis DLG. Castro.

Incumbent youth Floor Leader Ramona Concepcion is running as a Precinct 2 candidate under the 3rd CNMI Youth Congress while Eulalia Gomez is also running unopposed for Precinct 3.

Precinct 5 candidates include Jovon Charfauros and Antonio Castro. Trinajae M. Apatang and Maryanna Mendiola are running for Precinct 6.

At the school level, representing Mount Carmel School are Colleen Macduff and Myung Min Kim. Running unopposed for Grace Christian Academy is incumbent youth Senator Joshua Blalock.

Other school candidates also include incumbent youth Senator Joaquina Salas, Alisa Ann Torres, and Keoni DLG. Guerrero for Marianas High School; Carmen B. Sablan, Margaret Ashlee R. Tenorio, and Absinthe Algaier for Northern Marianas College; Joweda Calvo and Tanya Taisacan for Rota High School; Aillen Ada for Marianas Baptist Academy; incumbent youth senator Frances Somorang for Northern Marianas Academy; and Jeannette Sablan for Tinian High School.

Polling centers opens at 10:00 a.m. on Monday and will closes at 6:00 p.m.

Ballots from all precincts and schools will be tallied at the Multi-purpose center at the end of the day.