Previous Story
New law changes voting day, reflects AG election
Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed into law on Wednesday a bill that changes the CNMI’s general election day to the Tuesday after the first Monday in November on even-number years, which this year falls on Nov. 4, and other election law amendments to reflect the election of an attorney general starting this year.
The election amendment bill that reached the governor’s desk was also a product of a conference committee from the House and Senate.
House Bill 18-107, House Draft 1, Senate Substitute 1, Conference Committee Draft 1 is now Public Law 18-46. Rep. Christopher Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan) is the bill’s main author, along with two other co-sponsors.
The new law adds the names of AG candidates on the ballot, provides for the qualifications for AG candidates, the AG nomination, and AG runoff election.
It also revises certain provisions of the CNMI election law to be consistent with the NMI Constitution, save costs, and remove any inconsistencies with existing law provisions.
P.L. 18-46 also provides that that Office of the Public Auditor shall assist the Election Commission in monitoring the polling places to prevent and detect any fraud and any abuse during special elections, early voting, and election day.
House vice speaker Frank Dela Cruz (Ind-Saipan) authored the elected AG initiative that voters overwhelmingly ratified in 2012.
Rep. Frank Dela Cruz (IR-Saipan) said yesterday that the ratified House Legislative Initiative 17-2, House Draft 3, House Substitute 2 won’t affect San Nicolas’ pending AG nomination.
The CNMI used to be one of 10 remaining U.S. states and territories that still had an appointed attorney general, according to a report prepared by the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations that recommended the elected AG initiative’s passage.
