Inos to proclaim special election for Senate seat

Gov. Eloy S. Inos, along with Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider, is set to proclaim today a Nov. 4 special election to fill a Senate seat vacated by former Saipan senator and now lieutenant governor independent candidate Ray N. Yumul. This paves the way for a record-breaking three elections in November, along with the general polls on the same day as the special election and a likely gubernatorial runoff race.

As of yesterday, there is no telling whether the governor would also sign today Sen. Pete Reyes’ (Ind-Saipan) bill prohibiting the seven individuals who were already certified to run for two Saipan senatorial seats from also running for a special election to fill the third seat that Yumul vacated.

That bill was transmitted to the governor’s office yesterday afternoon.

While the vacancy existed a few weeks ago, the governor held off signing a special election proclamation until today, to fall within the requirement to conduct a special election within 60 days of a proclamation.

The 60th day falls on Nov. 4, the same day as the general elections.

Robert A. Guerrero, executive director of the Commonwealth Election Commission, said for logistical reason and to save $70,000 to $80,000, it would be best to hold the general elections and the special election on the same day.

Guerrero said the two will still be considered separate elections.

With four certified gubernatorial candidates, a runoff race is also likely because it would be close to impossible for any of the four teams to get at least 50 percent plus one of the actual votes cast.

That gubernatorial runoff race needs to occur 14 days after the results of the general election are certified. That will also be in November.

Acting press secretary Ivan Blanco said yesterday the signing of the special election proclamation for the current vacant Senate seat is at 10am today in the governor’s conference room on Capital Hill.

Election Commission’s Guerrero, at the same time, reminded that today, Sept. 5, is the last day to register for the Nov. 4 general elections.

The Election Commission office will be open until 6pm for the last day of voter registration.

Guerrero also told Saipan Tribune that the commission is “still compiling” information on the number of individuals that registered to vote for the Nov. 4 polls during the registration drive at the recent 10th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament in Portland, Oregon.

As of Aug. 27, however, the number of registered voters already reached 17,176. This is the first time that the CNMI’s registered voters breached the 17,000-mark on a general election year.