Thousands make their voices heard

Supporters line up outside the Garapan Elementary School in a last-minute push for their candidates yesterday. (LEIGH GASES)

Thousands of voters trooped to polling places across the CNMI yesterday to make their voices heard in a generally peaceful elections that come amid a contrasting backdrop of a slowly recovering economy and the likelihood of a second wave of furloughs for workers, given the expiration of the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

As of press time last night, the Commonwealth Election Commission had yet to start tabulating the ballots.

As of 1pm yesterday, CEC board chair Jesus I. Sablan said that everything was running smoothly, except for a few logistical issues.

Sablan said they had some issues where supporters of a political party or candidates were probably not complying with the law that requires them stay at least 300 feet away from the designated polling sites.

“I think those are being taken care of. Other than that, it looks like it’s going to be a pretty smooth election,” he said.

The chairman said they are looking at starting the tabulation as soon as the ballots come in at 7pm.

Sablan presided over a board meeting yesterday morning during which they appointed the tabulators that comprise all seven CEC commissioners. He said they also discussed legal matters that he cannot disclose.

As of 1:30pm, CEC executive director Kayla S. Igitol said the election has been running smoothly as she has not encountered major issues. “The only thing that we’re addressing right now is the concern regarding the 300 feet with the campaigning. But other than that, it’s been smooth sailing,” Igitol said.

She said as of 12pm, a ballot box containing eight votes taken from the Northern Islands arrived at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

A chartered boat with the CEC team, one Office of the Public Auditor staff, and one police officer left Saipan Sunday to take four votes from Alamagan and four from Agrihan.

Igitol said a total of 6,544 voters availed of the early voting process on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, which ended Monday.

As of Sept. 14, 2022, there were 15,559 registers voters on Saipan, 184 on the Northern Islands, 1,680 on Tinian, and 1,852 on Rota, for a total of 19,275 registered voters in the CNMI—the biggest number in CNMI history.

In the gubernatorial race, people have to decide whether to re-elect Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, whose running mate is Senate floor leader Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), or elect Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who is teaming with Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, under a unified independent group, or choose the Democrat’s young team of Reps. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) and Leila F. Staffler (D-Saipan).

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, third from right, and his running mate, Sen. Vinnie F. Sablan (R-Saipan), second from right, show up at Precinct 5 yesterday to support fellow Republican and House of Representative candidate Thomas John Manglona. (KIMBERLY ESMORES)

Rep. Christina “Tina” Sablan (D-Saipan), fourth from right, who is the gubernatorial candidate of the Democratic Party of the NMI, and her running mate, Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan), third from left, pose with some supporters. (CHRYSTAL MARINO)

Supporters of the gubernatorial tandem of Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios and Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang wave banners and welcome voters to the Garapan Elementary School polling site. (LEIGH GASES)

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (D-MP) is running unopposed for this 8th term. See related story on Page 2

Voters have to select from 92 other candidates who are seeking to occupy 45 more positions, including whether to retain Associate Justice John A. Manglona and associate judges Joseph N. Camacho and Wesley M. Bogdan.

Torres-Vinnie Sablan, Christina Sablan-Staffler, and Palacios-Apatang were all making the rounds yesterday near the designated polling places. It was a little cloudy from morning to afternoon, but the weather was hot.

With lively music in the background, candidates and their supporters sometimes danced as they waved to passing motorists and voters entering the polling sites.

Voting places opened at 7am and closed at 7pm. Many people started to vote during the early morning hours.

At Dandan Middle School, 82 voted at 8am, 32 at 9am, and 23 at 10am. At Oleai Elementary School, 10 voted at 8am, 25 at 9am, and 43 at 10am.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan and his wife voted at the Dandan Middle School yesterday morning.

“I think it’s a great day for democracy, right? I’m just glad to see all these people out to vote. I just want to thank the people for showing up and casting their votes, no matter who they voted,” Manibusan said.

He said it took him about 45 minutes to complete the voting process, but it’s not a problem as it’s actually fun to be around people exercising their right to vote.

“It’s not…a hassle,” he said.

If there is a runoff election, Manibusan said, he will of course come and vote again to complete the process.

When asked about his personal opinion if he favors repealing the runoff election law, Manibusan said he believes they should just do it one time and it’s done to save time, money, and resources.

“It’s just too much resources and just a lot of time…and people have a lot of things to do. But of course, I’m sure a lot of them would like to see a runoff, that’s why they voted for it,” he said.

Manibusan is seeking his third four-year term as an elected AG. Former Superior Court associate judge Juan T. Lizama is challenging Manibusan’s re-election bid.

Albert Deleon Guerrero, 54, who was among those who voted at the Joeten Kiyu Library, said the voting process took him less than five minutes.

Deleon Guerrero said if there is a runoff election, he will surely come back and vote again. He said people in general should decide whether or not to repeal the runoff election law.

CEC staff, accompanied by police officers, picked up eight boxes that contained absentee ballots from the U.S. Postal Service in Chalan Kanoa and brought them to Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center at 1:50pm.