Early voting start has ‘good turnout’

Voters wait in line outside the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday during the start of the seven-day early voting on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The multi-purpose center is the designated polling site of early voting on Saipan and the Northern Islands. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

The start of the seven-day early voting on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota drew many voters to the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday, with many lining up to vote inside the polling place and many others opting to vote curbside.

Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Kayla S. Igitol said Tuesday night that 655 voted at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. Of the 655, one voter was for the Northern Islands, 10 for Tinian, and eight for Rota, Igitol said.

As of 10:30am yesterday, there was already a long line of vehicles at the Multi-Purpose Center for voters who availed of early voting via curbside.

The Multi-Purpose Center is the designated polling place for the early voting on Saipan and the Northern Islands.

Igitol said they’ve been seeing many voters coming in non-stop since they opened the polling site at 8:30am.

“I just want to remind voters that today (Tuesday) is not the last day. It’s only the first and we got six more days [of early voting],” Igitol said.

She said they have not encountered any major issues yet.

When asked about the turnout of early voting on Tinian and Rota, she said she hasn’t even had the chance to ask because of the turnout at the Multi-Purpose Center.

“But everything seems good because they haven’t called or complained about anything. But I’m sure they have a good turnout as well,” Igitol said.

The executive director, along with some CEC staff, assisted those who voted curbside or those who were unable to make their way inside the polling site because they are sick or have disabilities.

She said curbside voters get that option for them to vote while staying in their car.

“We’ll bring the ballot to them,” Igitol said.

Terry Muna Jose, 61, praised the smooth voting process, as it took her less than 30 minutes to complete the process.

Jose said she had a medical emergency last Sept. 24 so she decided to come and vote early to avoid crowding on Nov. 8, which is Election Day.

A concerned citizen from Precinct 5 who declined to be named said the curbside voting process was slow, prompting him to ask CEC staff why he and other curbside voters can’t vote at the same time inside his vehicle. He said he was helping a group pick up curbside voters and bring them to the polling site.

“So many cars lining up. And there’s only two people that are attending to them,” he said.

He said he has been voting early for many elections now because he does not want to wait and keep thinking about the election. “I want to get it over with,” he added.

Agustin Norita, a construction worker, said he managed to vote in just a few minutes.

Norita, who is from Precinct 5, said he would always vote early and not on Election Day because of his work.

Members of the COVID-19 Task Force are also assisting the CEC for a smooth and orderly election.

Candidates and supporters of the Republican Party, Democratic Party, and a unified independent team, are camping across the highway of the Multi-Purpose Center and at the Civic Center area.

Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Kayla S. Igitol assists a curbside voter in front of the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)