CEC turns over to OAG registration affidavits with issues

The Commonwealth Election Commission has turned over to the Office of the Attorney General the case of over 13 individuals whose registration of affidavits from off-island have “problematic issues.”

CEC received the registration of affidavits through the mail.

At CEC’s board meeting last Friday afternoon, CEC election register clerk Robin Sablan discussed the case of the individuals having issues in their affidavits such as incomplete and other things.

After Sablan’s discussion, the board held an executive session.

Assistant attorney general Charles Brasington was present during the meeting.

In an interview, CEC chair Jesus I. Sablan said they referred the case to OAG for further investigation.

Sablan said OAG will conduct further investigation and come back to CEC for action.

He said there are 13 cases and a couple of others.

At the meeting, the board elected Patricia Mareham, who is representing Carolinians on Saipan, as pro temp vice chairman.

Sablan underscored the need to have a pro temp vice chairman as he might be off-island during a meeting.

Sablan’s four-year term will expire this October. After Donald Hofschneider resigned as board member representing Tinian and vice chairman pro temp last Feb. 16, the vice chairman pro temp position has been vacant.

Sablan said CEC is doing fine and in fact is open now every Saturdays to entertain those who want to register for the Nov. 6 general election.

He said Brasington even commented that it’s the best board that he ever participated as its members and staff are fully organized in transacting business.

Sablan said they also provide CEC executive director Julita Villagomez and two election clerks an opportunity to conduct voter registration in Oregon.

Meanwhile, Villagomez in an earlier interview said with respect to voter registration in Guam, those CNMI residents who are currently temporarily staying on the island and want to vote at the Nov. 6 general election, must register for the precincts that they were previously registered in the Commonwealth.

CEC said there are CNMI residents who are bedridden, on medical referrals, have no access to internet, and don’t know how to register online in Guam.

The registration drive in Guam will be done at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in the lobby area for CNMI residents from Aug. 21 to 23 from 9am to 3pm at 240 Ypao Beach Road in Tamuning.