CEC is getting ready for 2018 general elections

Julita Villagomez, executive director of the Commonwealth Election Commission, looks at the election schedule for next year.(Bea Cabrera)

The CNMI’s general election is still in November next year but the Commonwealth Election Commission is already busy as early as now to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

Julita Villagomez, the commission’s executive director, said they are currently updating their records.

“We transferred offices and we are making sure that everything is intact for the upcoming elections so that we will find any documentation easily. Our work depends on records and documents, that is why we want everything in order,” said Villagomez.

Voter’s registration is ongoing and it ends on Sept. 7, 2018, a total of 60 days before the 2018 general election. Villagomez said the commission started voter registration a week after the last election and it is ongoing.

“People think that after the election ends, our work also ends but it is not true. Our eyes shift immediately to the next election and that’s what keeps us in our toes,” Villagomez added.

According to the CEC website, the number of registered voters on Oct. 14, 2014, reached 17,986. As of May 13, 2017, the number was at 16,096.

“We receive cancellation from people, saying that they are registered elsewhere. After the last election, the commission also removed ineligible voters from the list for different reasons: death and when a person has been convicted with a felony. There are cases that the registered voter failed to vote for two consecutive elections,” Villagomez explained.

To be eligible to vote, voters have to go to the commission’s office to register if they are on island. If they are off island, voters must fill up a voter registration package or absentee ballot application on the CEC website, www.votecnmi.gov.mp.

Last year, the commission held hearings led by CEC administrative officer George Lloyd Hasselback regarding 85 dual voters, or with dual residency.

“We respect a person’s fundamental right to vote, that’s why there was adequate notice and opportunity to be heard. We conducted an administrative hearing by telephone and we had written decisions for all cases,” Hasselback said.

Five out of the 85 were removed from the list of registered voters.

For a voter registration to be effective, CEC requires a valid copy of the birth certificate from the statistics office or from the clerk of court or a valid U.S. passport.

“There are no exceptions,” Villagomez said.

For voter registration, the commission is open Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8am to 4pm. People who are off island can register via http:www.votecnmi.gov.mp/.