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Early voting nets many NI voters
Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Julita Villagomez checks the polling place at the CEC office in Susupe yesterday as early voting for Northern Islands commenced last Saturday. (Ferdie de la Torre)
Many Northern Islands’ voters who live on Saipan took advantage of early voting for the Nov. 6 general election last Saturday, trooping to the Commonwealth Election Commission office in Susupe.
CEC executive director Julita Villagomez disclosed in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday that early voting for the Northern Islands was very brisk only during the opening day last Saturday, with 40 going to the CEC to vote. Since then, early voting has slowed.
Last Sunday, 20 people voted and there were eight more last Monday.
As of 2pm yesterday, only three voted, Villagomez said.
There are 177 registered voters for the Northern Islands.
Villagomez said early voting for the Northern Islands will be done daily until Nov. 5. She encouraged Northern Islands’ voters to come and vote as they have all the time to do it. She said voters only need to show an identification card such as a driver’s license, mayor’s ID, or school ID.
Villagomez said they don’t need to see the voter’s registration card as it has no photo in it.
Meanwhile, early voting for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will start on Oct. 30.
As of yesterday, there are 15,220 registered voters on Saipan that includes 177 from the Northern Islands, 1,760 on Tinian, and 2,000 on Rota, for a total of 18,980 registered voters in the CNMI.
CEC printed 23,000 ballots.
