Total voters as of May 1: 13,454

Barely three months before the registration deadline, the Election Commission recorded as of May 1 this year a total of 13,454 voters—a slight increase over February’s 13,104 registered voters.

Records obtained by Saipan Tribune yesterday showed that Election District 1 remains the biggest voting bloc, with 3,630 registered voters.

This district covers San Vicente, which showed a light increase from 1,965 to 2,021; Koblerville, which now has 907 on its list, compared to the February figure of 881; and San Antonio, which went up to 702 from the previous month’s total of 688.

Election District 3 has the second highest number of registered voters, totaling to 2,799 as of May 1, from just 2,744 in February. The district includes Garapan, which recorded 2,076 voters, a very slight increase from 2,030; and Oleai, which now has 723, from 712.

District 2, which covers Chalan Kanoa and Susupe areas, now has a total number of 1,023 voters, up from February’s record of 998.

The four villages belonging to Election District 4 posted 1,477 total registered voters—Tanapag, 556; San Roque, 483; Capital Hill, 364; and Northern Islands, 74.

Kagman, which is Election District 5, has a total number of 1,935 voters, up from the previous record of 1,854 two months ago.

On Tinian, the list showed an additional 42 voters, now at 1,192 compared to only 1,150 two months ago.

Rota also recorded a minimal increase of voters, from 1,298 to 1,380 as of May 1.

The Election Commission earlier disclosed that there were 3,420 voters who failed to participate in the 2007 poll and were stricken from the list of registered voters.

Once they register, this would boost the commission’s chances of meeting its target of 15,000 voters for the November 2009 election.

Election Commission acting executive director Jermae R. Cabrera said yesterday that, of the 13,454 registered voters, 288 are new registrants.

She said the number is expected to jump toward the end of the registration period, Sept. 18.

Commission statistics show that in 2005 general election, over 15,000 voters cast their votes.

“We’re still in the very early stage of registration, and we’re expecting that by the end or toward the end of the registration period…the number would significantly increase. If we already have 13,454 at this time, we may exceed the 15,000 in 2005 gubernatorial election,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Cabrera estimates that two to 10 “walk-in” registrants are accommodated at their Capital Hill office on a daily basis.

Within the month, the commission will open a registration outlet every Saturday at Price Costco to encourage more individuals to register.

The Saturday event usually generates 15 percent of total voters in past elections.