Poll registration extended

The registration of voters for next year’s general election has been extended to Sept. 16, 2005, according to an announcement issued yesterday by the Commonwealth Election Commission.

Despite the increased number of registered voters, the commission estimates that there may still be more than 4,000 qualified individuals in the NMI who need to re-register so they could vote in the general election on Nov. 5, 2005.

Qualified voters are encouraged to register at the commission’s office at No. 1313 Anatahan Drive, Capitol Hill, Saipan. Registrants may visit the office from Monday to Friday, between 7:30am and 4:30pm. The office will accept registrants even during lunch hours.

As of Nov. 30, 2004, a total of 11,838 voters have registered from a total of six districts. There are 4,589 registrants from Districts 1A to 1E; 788 from District ED No. 2; 2,331 registrants from Districts No.3A to 3C; 1,860 registrants from Districts 4A to 4C; 970 from District ED No. 5; and 1,300 from District ED No. 6.

Eligible voters from Rota who need registration information may contact Miranda V. Manglona or Henry S. Atalig. Tinian residents may reach Matthew C. Masga, Jose P. Kiyoshi or Mary B. Diaz. Residents from the islands north of Saipan may contact directly the mayor’s office.

Registration forms are also available via the Internet at www.votecnmi.gov.mp. Eligible residents outside the Commonwealth may acquire copies of these registration forms from the website. Eligible voters with disabilities and who may need assistance to register may contact the commission for assistance either in the office or via a home visit.

Those eligible to vote on Nov. 5, 2005 are those who are aged 18 and above, living in the Commonwealth for 120 days prior to election day, not serving a sentence for felony and related conviction, have not been declared judicially insane, and is either a citizen or national of the United States.

The commission also invites registered voters who missed the regular general election in 2001 and 2003 to re-register to be eligible for the 2005 election.
For more information, contact the commission’s offices through phone no. 664-VOTE or through electronic mail at cec@saipan.com or cec@vzpacifica.net. (Marconi Calindas)