2009 Northern Mariana Islands general election

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2009 Northern Mariana Islands general election
Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg
Gubernatorial election
←  2005 7 November 2009 (first round)
23 November 2009 (runoff)		 2014  →
  Benigno Fitial 2009.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Benigno Fitial Heinz Hofschneider
Party Covenant Republican
Running mate Eloy Inos Arnold Palacios
Popular vote6,6106,240
Percentage51.44%48.56%
Northern Mariana Islands 2009 gubernatorial election map.svg
Results by voting district:
Benigno Fitial:     50–55%     55–60%     65–70%
Heinz Hofschneider:     50–55%
Governor before election

Benigno Repeki Fitial
Covenant

Elected Governor

Benigno Repeki Fitial
Covenant

Senate election
←  2007 7 November 2009 2012  →
6 of the 9 seats in the Senate
5 seats needed for a majority
PartySeats+/–
Republican 5+2
Independents 4+3
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
House election
←  2007 7 November 2009 2012  →
All 20 seats in the House of Representatives
11 seats needed for a majority
PartySeats+/–
Republican 9−3
Covenant 7+3
Independents 4+1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Mayoral elections
←  2005
2014  →
4 Mayors
PartySeats
Republican 2
Independents 2
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

The 2009 Northern Mariana Islands general election was held on Saturday, November 7, 2009. [1] This was the last general election to be held on a odd year. This election also saw the extension all office holding officials by one year to move the elections to even-years, [2] [3] corresponding with the elections of other federal and state offices, including the nationwide United States House of Representatives elections and the United States general elections. This election also oversaw the first run-off to be held in the Northern Mariana Islands, which were held on Monday, November 23, 2009. [3] [4] Benigno Fitial became the first governor to win a second term since 1985 and the first time a candidate won a majority since 1993 thanks to the newly implemented run-off voting system. [5]

Contents

Background

A total of 16,146 voters registered to vote with the Commonwealth Election Commission for the 2009 election. [1] That is a 15% increase in voters compared to the 15,118 people who registered to vote in the 2005 general election. [1] Precinct 1 on Saipan, which includes the villages of San Antonio, San Vicente and Koblerville, had the most number of registered voters at 4,331. [1] Voter registration ended on September 18, 2009. [1]

A total of 109 candidates vied for the 43 elected positions in the Northern Mariana Islands in the 2009 election. [1] The contested offices included the offices of governor & lieutenant governor, the twenty seats in the House of Representative, six (of nine) seats in the Senate as well as mayoral posts and various local offices. [1]

At least 18,000 ballots designed to be read by counting machines were printed in Alabama for the 2009 election, according to the executive director of the Election Commission, Robert Guerrero. [1]

Campaign

Major election issues included the Commonwealth's faltering economy and the federalization of the Northern Mariana Islands' immigration by the United States government.

Republican Hofschneider and his running mate, Palacios, challenged incumbent governor Benigno Fitial and his running mate, Lieutenant Governor Eloy Inos, in the general election. Former legislator Juan "Pan" Tenorio Guerrero ran as an independent, with sitting CNMI Rep. Joe Camacho as his running mate. Another former legislator, Ramon "Kumoi" Deleon Guerrero, campaigned as an independent, with former Education Commissioner David M. Borja as his running mate. [6] The race was widely viewed as a rematch between Fitial and Hofschneider, who was narrowly defeated in 2005.

The gubernatorial candidates focused heavily on the estimated 3,000 Northern Mariana Islanders residing on the United States mainland, many of whom were eligible to vote be absentee ballot. [7] Three of the four gubernatorial candidates - Governor Fitial, Hofschneider and Juan Pan Guerrero - attended a Labor Day festival for Northern Mariana Islanders in San Diego, California, in September 2009. [8] Independent candidate Juan "Pan" Tenorio Guerrero and his running mate, Joe Camacho, campaigned throughout the western United States in August and September. Guerrero and Camacho began campaigning in Salem and Portland, Oregon, before travelling to Seattle, Boise, Idaho, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego and Honolulu. [7]

The Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands did not nominate a candidate for governor in 2009. The only offices which were contested by the Democrats in 2009 were certain seats in the legislature and the mayorship of Saipan.

Gubernatorial election

The incumbent Governor, Benigno R. Fitial of the Covenant Party, successfully ran for a second term; his running mate, Lt. Governor Eloy Inos, was elected to his first full term. [9] Fitial faced three challengers in the November 7 general election: Republican nominee Heinz Hofschneider, independent Juan "Pan" Tenorio Guerrero, and independent Ramon "Kumoi" Deleon Guerrero. [10]

Because of a law signed by Governor Fitial on July 24, 2009, a runoff election between the candidates who received the highest and second-highest vote totals would be required if no candidate obtained more than 50% of the overall vote. Under this 2009 law, a runoff would occur 14 days after the results of the general election are certified by the Commonwealth Election Commission. [11] This election indeed required a runoff, as neither Fitial nor Hofschneider garnered more than 50% of the vote in the November 7 election. [12] [13]

On election day, Republican challenger Hofschneider received 4,900 votes and incumbent governor Fitial received 4,892 votes, therefore advancing to the runoff election held on November 23, 2009. [14] [3] Of the 13,784 total votes cast in the first round on November 7, Hofschneider led Fitial by just 8 votes, the closest gubernatorial election in the history of the Northern Mariana Islands. [3] In the November 23 runoff election, Governor Fital was reelected by a 370-vote margin. [15] With a margin of 2.8%, this election was the closest race of the 2009 gubernatorial election cycle.

Fitial was elected to serve a five-year term in office as governor instead of the normal four-year term, [16] due to the Senate Legislative Initiative 16-11, which was one of the four ballot initiatives ratified in the November 7 election. [3] Under the Senate Legislative Initiative 16-11, future general (including gubernatorial) elections will be held only in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years, such as 2009. [3] Therefore, the next gubernatorial election took place in 2014 rather than 2013. [3]

Candidates

Covenant Party

  • Benigno R. Fitial , incumbent governor of the Northern Mariana Islands (serving since 2006) and former Northern Mariana Islands Representatives (including tenure as Speaker of the House)

Eloy Inos is Fitial's running mate. Inos was appointed and confirmed as Lt. Governor on May 1, 2009, following the resignation of Timothy Villagomez. [17]

Independents

Republican Party

Former Northern Mariana Governor Juan N. Babauta, a Republican, declared his intention to run for governor and challenge Fitial in January 2009. [9] His running mate was Galvin Deleon Guerrero, a member of the CNMI Board of Education. Babauta was then defeated in the Republican primary by sitting CNMI Rep. Heinz Sablan Hofschneider, a former Speaker of the House, for the Republican Party nomination. Hofschneider's running mate is CNMI Rep. Arnold Indalecio Palacios, the current Speaker of the House.

Before the Republican primary, which was held on June 27, 2009, Hofschneider and Babauta signed a unity pledge, with each candidate pledging to support the winner of the primary. Hofschneider won the primary on June 27 with about 53% of the votes cast. Hofschneider won at six of the eight precincts. After the results were announced, the candidates convened and embraced; Babauta threw his support to Hofschneider and said that he would accept the people's decision. [20] After Babauta had asked his supporters to vote for Hofschneider in the general election, Hofschneider called Babauta and his supporters "a crucial part of the campaign toward November." [21]

Republican Primary results [20]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Heinz S. Hofschneider 3,382 53
Republican Juan N. Babauta2,98647
Total votes6,368 100

Polling

SourceDates AdministeredFitial (C)Hofschneider (R)Juan Guerrero (I)Ramon Guerrero (I)Undecided
University of Guam October 27, 200927%27%19%12%16%
Marianas Consulting October 29 - Nov. 4, 200915%29%20%7%22%

Election day

Polls on election day opened at 7 a.m. on November 7, 2009. Three of the four gubernatorial candidates cast their ballots in the morning at Garapan Elementary School in Garapan, Saipan. [22] Incumbent governor Benigno Fitial and First Lady Josie Fitial voted at 7:10 a.m., Ramon "Kumoi" Deleon Guerrero arrived at the school at 7:20 a.m. and independent candidate Juan Pan Guerrero voted after 9 a.m. [22] Republican candidate Heinz Hofschneider also voted at Garapan Elementary School at 6 p.m. later that day. [22] An estimated 84% of registered voters participated in the election. [14]

In the November 7 general election, Republican challenger Heinz Hofschneider received 4,900 votes and incumbent governor Benigno Fitial received 4,892 votes, [10] therefore both advanced to the runoff election slated for November 23, 2009. [3] A total of 13,784 votes were cast in the first round. [3] Hofschneider led Fitial by just eight votes, the closest gubernatorial election in the history of the Northern Mariana Islands. [3] Independent candidates Juan Pan Guerrero and Ramon "Kumoi" Deleon Guerrero came in 3rd and 4th place respectively and, therefore, did not qualify for the second runoff election. [14]

Under a 2009 law signed by Governor Benigno Fitial, a runoff election is required within fourteen days of the if no candidate obtained 50% of the popular vote plus 1. [22] Since neither Fitial nor Hofschneider garnered more than 50% of the vote, a runoff date was set for November 23, 2009. [3]

Runoff

The Commonwealth Election Commission certified the results of the general election on November 9 and set the date of the runoff election between Fitial and Hofschneider for Monday, November 23. [23] In a November 17 memorandum, Governor Fitial declared November 23 a legal holiday in the Northern Mariana Islands to encourage voter turnout. [4]

The candidates qualifying for the runoff on November 23, 2009, were incumbent Covenant Party Governor Benigno Fitial and Republican candidate, Rep. Heinz Hofschneider. The incumbent ticket of Fitial-Inos campaigned for re-election on a theme of "proven leadership and proven experience," while the rival Hofscneider-Palacios campaign advocated a "change in leadership" to voters. [3]

Both the Fitial and Hofschneider campaigns reached out to supporters of the independent candidates who did not qualify for the November 23rd runoff, Juan "Pan" Tenorio Guerrero and Ramon "Kumoi" Deleon Guerrero. [23] The support of these independent voters was considered vital both Fitial's and Hofschneider's candidacies. [14]

Former independent candidate Juan "Pan" Guerrero declined to endorse either Fitial or Hofschneider in one-page statement released on November 13, 2009. [24] Instead, Guerrero, who came in third in the gubernatorial election, called on CNMI voters, especially his supporters, to support the candidate who best "represents a better future for themselves, their families, and the Commonwealth." [24] Guerrero further elaborated that, "As soon as it was clear that I would not be in the runoff election, I urged supporters to make their own choices about whom to support-Ben and Eloy or Heinz and Arnold." [24] In his statement, Guerrero noted that he make no further public statements concerning the election before the runoff. [24]

Guerrero's running mate in the 2009 election, Joe Camacho, issued his own statement on November 12 endorsing the Covenant Party ticket of Governor Benigno Fitial and Lt. Governor Eloy Inos for re-election. [25] Camacho's brother, Clyde Norita, who was the chairman for the Executive Committee to Elect Juan Guerrero and Joe Camacho, also endorsed Fitial and Inos. [25]

Former independent candidate Ramon "Kumoi" Deleon Guerrero, who came in fourth place in the general election, endorsed Heinz Hofschneider and Arnold Palacios for governor and lt. governor. [26] Deleon Guerrero cited the wishes of his supporters and support for reforms advocated by Hofschneider, as well as alleged broken promises by the Fitial administration, for his endorsement. [26] He further cited similarities between his own campaign and Hofschneider's messages, "Hofschneider and Palacios have whole-heartedly embraced these visions. They have even taken to heart, our campaign theme of "Time For Change." [26] Deleon Guerrero stated that Fitial had failed to deliver on a number of promises during his term in office, such as economic growth, improved healthcare and the removal of fuel surcharges. [26]

However, Deleon Guerrero's running mate, former Education Commissioner David Borja, endorsed Governor Fitial for re-election. [27] Fitial was also endorsed by the Deleon Guerrero-Borja campaign chairman, Rudy R. Sablan, and seven other senior members of the campaign team. [27]

On December 8, after all ballots had been counted, Fitial was declared the victor in the runoff. He and Inos received 6,610 votes, while Hofschneider and Palacios received 6,240 votes. [28] [13]

Results

Northern Mariana Islands Gubernatorial Election
PartyCandidateRunning mateFirst round [10] Second round [13]
Votes %Votes %
Covenant Benigno Repeki Fitial (incumbent) Eulogio "Eloy" Songao Inos (incumbent)4,89236.14%6,61051.44%
Republican Heinz Sablan Hofschneider Arnold Indalecio Palacios 4,900 36.20% 6,240 48.56%
Independent Juan "Pan" Tenorio Guerrero Joseph James Norita Camacho 2,643 19.53%
Independent Ramon "Kumoi" Santos Deleon Guerrero David Muna Borja 1,101 8.13%
Total13,536100%12,850100%
Covenant hold

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature

Results summary

CNMI House of Representatives 2009.svg
PartiesHouse Election ResultsSeat ChangeParty Strength
2007 2009+/−Strength
  Republican 12 9 3 Decrease2.svg45.00%
  Covenant 4 7 3 Increase2.svg35.00%
  Independent 3 4 1 Increase2.svg20.00%
  Democratic 1 0 1 Decrease2.svg0.00%
Totals2020Steady2.svg100.00%
CNMI Senate 2009.svg
PartiesSenate Election ResultsSeat ChangeParty Strength
2007 2009+/−Strength
  Republican 2 5 3 Increase2.svg55.56%
  Independent 3 4 1 Increase2.svg44.44%
  Covenant 3 0 3 Decrease2.svg0.00%
  Democratic 1 0 1 Decrease2.svg0.00%
Totals99Steady2.svg100.00%

Senate

The Northern Mariana Islands Senate is the upper house of the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature, consisting of nine senators representing three senatorial districts (Saipan & the Northern Islands, Tinian & Aguijan, and Rota), each a Multi-member district with three senators. Six seats in the Northern Mariana Islands Senate were up for 2009 election. [1] Before the 2009 election, the Senate was controlled by the Covenant Party in a coalition with the Democrats and a lone independent.

Rota 1st Senatorial District (2 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Jovita Maratita Taimanao57824.03%
Independent Juan Manglona Ayuyu54422.62%
Independent Joey Anthony Quitugua48920.33%
Independent Paterno Songao Hocog43618.13%
Independent Norbert Hocog Mundo2158.94%
Independent Calista Taimanao Pendergrass1435.95%
Total votes2,405 100.00%
Tinian 2nd Senatorial District (2 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Francisco Quichuchu Cruz69828.51%
Republican Jude Untalan Hofschneider (incumbent)63726.02%
Covenant Joaquin Hoashi Borja56423.04%
Covenant Joseph Masga Mendiola (incumbent)54922.43%
Total votes2,448 100.00%
Saipan & Northern Islands 3rd Senatorial District (2 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torress 4,79224.22%
Republican Pete Pangelinan Reyes (incumbent)3,26916.52%
Covenant Jacinta Matagolai Kaipat2,94714.90%
Democratic Justo Songao Quitugua2,78114.06%
Independent Christina Marie Elise Sablan (Tina Sablan) 2,43012.28%
Covenant Ana Sablan Teregeyo1,7688.94%
Independent Paul William Camacho9674.89%
Independent Gregorio Sanchez Cruz8294.19%
Total votes19,783 100.00%

House of Representative

All 20 seats in the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives were contested in the election. [1] The house has seven districts and five of the seven are Multi-member district. Before the 2009 election, the Republican Party controlled the 20-member House of Representatives with a 12-seat majority.

House of Representative - District 1: Saipan (6 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Diego Tenorio Benavente (incumbent)2,02811.93%
Covenant Froilan Cruz "Lang" Tenorio 1,6719.83%
Republican Joseph Pinaula Deleon Guerrero (incumbent)1,6349.61%
Republican Antonio Pangelinan Sablan1,4988.81%
Republican Joseph Mafnas Palacios1,4948.79%
Republican Eliceo Diaz Cabrera1,4858.73%
Republican Janet Ulloa Maratita 1,4138.31%
Independent Victoria Tudela Guerrero1,1276.63%
Independent Raymond Ulloa Palacios1,1266.62%
Covenant Vicente Camacho Cabrera9935.84%
Covenant Benjamin Matagolai Cepeda9185.40%
Covenant Antonia Manibusan Tudela8525.01%
Covenant Canice Kaipat Taitano7644.49%
Total votes17,003 100.00%
House of Representative - District 2: Saipan (2 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Covenant Raymond Demapan Palacios (incumbent)49427.07%
Covenant Rafael Sablan Demapan38120.88%
Republican Eric Benavente Atalig34719.01%
Republican Manuel Agulto Tenorio32317.70%
Independent Ramon Benavente Aldan1558.49%
Independent Henry Ayuyu Torres1256.85%
Total votes1,825 100.00%
House of Representative - District 3: Saipan (6 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ramon Angailen Tebuteb (incumbent)1,2219.08%
Republican Ray Naraja Yumul (incumbent)1,1978.90%
Republican Francisco Santos Dela Cruz (incumbent)1,1518.56%
Covenant Felicidad Taman Ogumoro 1,1408.48%
Covenant Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez 1,0798.03%
Independent Stanley Estanislao Tudela McGinnis Torres (incumbent)1,0788.02%
Covenant Jesus Mareham Elameto9577.12%
Covenant David Reyes Maratita9016.70%
Independent Miguel Atalig Camacho8746.50%
Covenant Henry Kaipat Rabauliman8646.43%
Independent Rita Camacho Chong-Dela Cruz8186.08%
Republican Ramon Sablan Salas7995.94%
Republican Daniel Jr. Iwashita Aquino7215.36%
Republican Jesus Manibusan Castro6444.79%
Total votes13,444 100.00%
House of Representative - District 4: Saipan (2 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Covenant Sylvestre Ilo Iguel61823.69%
Independent George Norita Camacho55421.23%
Republican Juan Reyes Babauta50419.32%
Covenant Thomas Jesus Camacho48018.40%
Republican Francisco Deleon Guerrero Camacho45317.36%
Total votes2,609 100.00%
House of Representative - District 5: Saipan (2 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Frederick Peters Deleon Guerrero77521.97%
Covenant Ramon Sablan Basa66418.83%
Democratic Jesse David Jones Torres51414.57%
Republican Jose Sabalan Demapan45012.76%
Republican Rosemond Blanco Santos (incumbent)41511.77%
Covenant Daniel Ogo Quitugua40911.60%
Independent Joseph Muna Mendiola1724.88%
Democratic Willie Lee Brundidge Jr.1283.63%
Total votes3,527 100.00%
House of Representative - District 6: Tinian (1 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Trenton Brian Conner65154.20%
Covenant Edwin Palacios Aldan (incumbent)55045.80%
Total votes1,201 100.00%
Republican gain from Covenant
House of Representative - District 7: Rota (1 seats) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Teresita Apatang Santos69553.50%
Independent Ross Hugh Songao Manglona60446.50%
Total votes1,299 100.00%
Independent hold

Mayors

All four mayoral posts were up for election across the Commonwealth. [1]

There were nine candidates for mayor on the island of Saipan: Republican Donald Flores, who won the election, as well as Covenant candidate Marian Tudela, Democrat Angelo Villagomez, and Independent candidates Candy Taman, Joe Sanchez, Roman Benavente, Juan Demapan, Tony Camacho and Lino Tenorio.

Mayor - Saipan [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Donald Glenn Flores2,39222.68%
Independent Marian Deleon Guerrero Tudela 1,62015.36%
Democratic Angelo O'Connor Villagomez1,61215.29%
Independent Roman Cepeda Benavente1,58615.04%
Independent Lino Sablan Tenorio1,52714.48%
Independent Antonio Muna Camacho5715.41%
Independent Jose Deleon Guerrero Sanchez (incumbent)5305.03%
Independent Candido Babauta Taman4203.98%
Independent Juan Sablan Demapan2872.72%
Total votes10,545 100.00%
Republican gain from Covenant
Mayor - Tinian & Aquiguan [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ramon Muna Dela Cruz69655.19%
Covenant Jose Pangelinan Borja San Nicolas56544.81%
Total votes1,261 100.00%
Republican gain from Covenant
Mayor - Rota [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Melchor Atalig Mendiola54739.47%
Independent Victor Borja Hocog 49835.93%
Independent Steve King Mesngon34124.60%
Total votes1,386 100.00%
Independent gain from Covenant
Mayor - Northern Islands [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Tobias Dela Cruz Aldan6950.36%
Covenant Ramona Taisakan Rebuenog6849.64%
Total votes137 100.00%
Independent win (new seat)

Municipal Council

Municipal Council - Saipan & Northern Islands [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Ramon Jose Blas Camacho (incumbent)6,34354.29%
Nonpartisan Eric Demapan Diaz5,34145.71%
Total votes11,684 100.00%
Municipal Council - Tinian & Aguiguan [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Patrick A. Manglona70118.88%
Nonpartisan Esteven Pangelinan Cabrera67518.18%
Nonpartisan Joseph San Nicolas Cruz62716.89%
Nonpartisan Ignacio Pangelinan Aquiningoc59616.05%
Nonpartisan Eugenio Henry Lizama Villagomez (incumbent)57115.38%
Nonpartisan Eric Henry Cruz San Nicolas54314.62%
Total votes3,713 100.00%
Municipal Council - Rota (non-partisan) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Arvin Cabrera Ogo65717.91%
Nonpartisan George Ogo Hocog51113.93%
Nonpartisan Prudencio Atalig Manglona45912.51%
Nonpartisan Brian Manglona Mendiola40511.04%
Nonpartisan Vicente Mesngon Rosario39610.79%
Nonpartisan Gardner Trazan Delos Santos Barcinas2897.88%
Nonpartisan Alfred Maratita Jr. Apatang (incumbent)2637.17%
Nonpartisan Eusebio Mendiola Manglona2546.92%
Nonpartisan Vincent Robert Castro Hocog1905.18%
Nonpartisan Brelinda Atalig Taimanao1684.58%
Nonpartisan John Cabrera Taisacan772.10%
Total votes3,669 100.00%

Board of education

Board of Education - Saipan & Northern Islands (4D) (non-partisan) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Herman Tenorio Guerrero7,625100.00%
Total votes7,625 100.00%
Board of Education - Tinian & Aguiguan (non-partisan) [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Lucia Linda Blanco-Maratita64152.28%
Nonpartisan James Masga Mendiola58547.72%
Total votes1,226 100.00%

Referendums

Education system

Do you approve of House Legislative Initiative 15-3 to amend Article XV, Section 1(c) and (e) of the Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands to one member being a high school student – one member selected by the teachers within the Public School System – the selection process of a public school teacher representative shall be established by law – the elected board members shall be limited to two terms – and the public elementary and secondary education system shall be guaranteed an annual budget of not less than 15 percent of the general revenues of the Commonwealth through an annual appropriation?

Original textProposed text
c) The board of education shall have five members, elected at large on a non-partisan basis as follows: one from the first senatorial district, one from the second senatorial district and three from the third senatorial district. Elected members of the board of education shall serve terms of four years except that the terms of the first members elected shall be determined by drawing of lots with three members serving a term of four years and two members serving a term of two years. The governor shall appoint three nonvoting ex officio members to the board of education: one member shall be a student attending a public school; one member shall be a representative of nonpublic schools; and one member selected by an exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers within the Department of Education Public School System. Elected members of the board shall serve commencing on the second Monday of January in the year following the regular general election at which they were elected.c) The board of education shall have five members, elected at large on a non-partisan basis as follows: one from the first senatorial district, one from the second senatorial district and three from the third senatorial district. Elected members of the board of education shall serve terms of four years except that the terms of the first members elected shall be determined by drawing of lots with three members serving a term of four years and two members serving a term of two years. The governor shall appoint three nonvoting ex officio members to the board of education: one member shall be a high school student attending a public school; one member shall be a representative of nonpublic schools; and one member selected by the teachers within the Public School System. The selection process of a public school teacher representative shall be established by law. Elected members of the board shall serve commencing on the second Monday of January in the year following the regular general election at which they were elected. The elected board members shall be limited to two terms.
e) The public elementary and secondary education system shall be guaranteed an annual budget of not less than fifteen percent of the general revenues of the Commonwealth. The budgetary appropriation may not be reprogrammed for other purposes, and any unencumbered fund balance at the end of a fiscal year shall be available for reappropriation.e) The public elementary and secondary education system shall be guaranteed an annual budget of not less than fifteen percent of the general revenues of the Commonwealth through an annual appropriation. The budgetary appropriation may not be reprogrammed for other purposes, and any unencumbered fund balance at the end of a fiscal year shall be available for reappropriation.

Results

Referendum Questions [10] ForAgainstTotal
votes		Registered
voters		Turnout
Votes%Votes%
Do you approve of House Legislative Initiative 15-3 to amend Article XV, Section 1(c) and (e) of the Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands to one member being a high school student - one member selected by the teachers within the Public School System - the selection process of a public school teacher representative shall be established by law - the elected board members shall be limited to two terms - and the public elementary and secondary education system shall be guaranteed and annual budget of not less and fifteen percent of the general revenue of the Commonwealth through and annual appropriatioin?6,40859.27%4,40440.73%10,81216,14666.96%
Do you approve of House Legislative Initiative 16-11 to amend Article III, Section 9(a) of the Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands to prohibit the withdrawal of any funds from the General Fund except by appropriations made by law Article XV, Section 2(a) of the Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands?6,30958.67%4,44441.33%10,75366.60%
Do you approve of the proposed local law by popular initiative, entitled the "Open Government Act of 2007", to amend 1 CMC §9913 to read a follows: "§9913, Legislative Branch: Applicability. The Commonwealth Legislature, including all Commonwealth legislators and the Legislative Bureau, shall be subjected to 1 CMC §9901, et seq. The respective rules and procedures of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Bureau shall be in compliance with this Chapter."7,33068.61%3,35431.39%10,68466.17%
Do you approve of Senate Legislative Initiative 16-11 to amend Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands to hold regular general elections only in even-numbered years?6,16057.07%4,63442.93%10,79466.85%

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Babauta</span> Northern Mariana Islander politician

Juan Nekai Babauta is a Northern Mariana Islander politician who served as the fifth governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from January 14, 2002, to January 9, 2006.

The Covenant Party was a political party in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) advocating governmental and financial reform. It was named after the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, Act of Mar. 24, 1976, Pub. L. 94-241, 90 Stat. 263, codified as amended at 48 U.S.C. § 1801 note. In the legislative elections of 2003, the Covenant Party won nine of eighteen seats. The party mostly made up of members from the Republican Party, but many prominent Democrats would also join the party. In the 2005 general elections, the Covenant Party increased its position as one of the strongest parties in the Commonwealth when Benigno R. Fitial, the party's gubernatorial candidate, won the election. The Covenant Party won seven of eighteen seats in the commonwealth's House of Representatives and three of nine seats in its Senate. In the Commonwealth Legislature 2007 elections, the Covenant Party won only four of twenty seats in the House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Northern Mariana Islands general election</span>

General elections were held in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) on Saturday, 5 November 2005, electing the governor and Legislature. There was also a referendum on calling a Constitutional Convention, which was approved by voters. The gubernatorial election was the closest in the commonwealth's history, and resulted in the election of Benigno Fitial, narrowly defeating independent Heinz Hofschneider by 84 votes and incumbent Republican Governor Juan N. Babauta by an additional 98 votes. This would be the last year that the gubernatorial race would work in a first-past-the-post voting system as it would be reformed to work under a two-round system for the 2009 general elections. This election made commonwealth history by electing both the territory's first Carolinian governor and its first third party governor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benigno Fitial</span>

Benigno Repeki Fitial is a Northern Marianan politician who served was the sixth governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. The second longest-serving governor in CNMI history, Fitial was elected on November 6, 2005, assumed office on January 9, 2006, and was re-elected to a (five-year) second term in 2009. He was impeached by the CNMI House of Representatives on February 11, 2013, and was scheduled to face trial before the CNMI Senate to determine if he should be removed from office. He resigned on February 20, 2013, after 7 years, 1 month, and 11 days in office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 2009, in the states of New Jersey and Virginia, as well as in the U.S. commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 7, 2009. Both state governorships were previously held by Democrats elected in 2005, and both were won by Republicans in 2009; the local Covenant Party maintained control of the governorship of the Marianas. These elections formed part of the 2009 United States elections. As of 2024, this is the last election after which the Democratic party held a majority of governorships.

Rita Hocog Inos was a Northern Mariana Island educator, activist and politician. Inos was the former Education Commissioner of the Northern Marianas school system and served on the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents. Inos was a two-time candidate for Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, becoming the first woman to seek election to that particular office.

Heinz Sablan Hofschneider is a politician from the Northern Mariana Islands. Hofschneider served as the Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004 and is a four-time candidate for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Francisco Castro Ada was a Northern Mariana Islander politician who served as the first lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from January 9, 1978 to January 11, 1982, under Carlos S. Camacho, the territory's first governor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States House of Representatives election in Northern Mariana Islands</span>

The 2010 Congressional election in the Northern Mariana Islands occurred on November 2, 2010 and elected the territory's Delegate to the United States House of Representatives. Representatives and non-voting Delegates are elected for two-year terms; the elected will serve in the 112th Congress from January 3, 2011 until January 3, 2013.

Jesus "Jesse" Camacho Borja is a Northern Mariana Islander politician and lawyer who served as the fourth lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from January 10, 1994 until January 12, 1998 under former Democratic Governor Froilan Tenorio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diego Benavente</span> Northern Mariana Islands politician

Diego Tenorio Benavente is a Northern Mariana Islander politician who served as the sixth lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from January 14, 2002 to January 9, 2006, under former Governor Juan Babauta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Northern Mariana Islands general election</span>

General elections were held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 4 November, 2014. Voters elected the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Delegate to the US Congress, the Senate, the House of Representatives, mayors, municipal councils and the Board of Education. Additionally, a referendum involving changes to the constitution was held.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of Northern Mariana Islands

The 2014 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. As no candidate received a majority of the vote, a run-off election was held 14 days later. Incumbent Republican Governor Eloy Songao Inos and running mate Ralph DLG. Torres were elected. Inos, who served as lieutenant governor from 2009 to 2013, first became Governor following the resignation of his predecessor, Benigno Fitial.

Edward Eladio Manibusan is a Northern Marianan attorney and politician serving as the first elected Attorney General of the Northern Mariana Islands. He took office on January 12, 2015. He previously served in the position from July 1, 1989 to January 8, 1990 when it was a gubernatorial appointment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the Northern Mariana Islands

The 2018 Northern Mariana gubernatorial election took place on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, to elect the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands to a four-year term in office. Incumbent Republican governor Ralph Torres, who ascended to governorship in December 2015 following the death of Governor Eloy Inos, sought election to a full term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Northern Mariana Islands general election</span>

The 2018 Northern Mariana Islands general election was held on Tuesday, 13 November, 2018, corresponding with the 2018 United States midterm elections. Originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 6 November, 2018, the elections were delayed by one week due to the impact and aftermath of Typhoon Yutu. Early voting was held from Tuesday, 6 November, until Monday, 12 November, 2018. An estimated 18,975 voters were eligible to vote in the 2018 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governorship of the Northern Mariana Islands

The 2022 Northern Mariana gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022 to elect the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands and the lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands to a four-year term in office. Because no candidate received 50% of the vote in the general election, the two highest-placing candidates advanced to a runoff election on November 25, 2022.

Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero is an American politician serving as a member of the Northern Mariana Islands Senate for the 3rd district. Elected in November 2020, she assumed office on January 11, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 Northern Mariana Islands general election</span>

General elections were held in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) on 3 November 2001, electing the governor and members to the legislature. The 2001 elections marked the last general election that the dissolved Reform Party, which merged back into the Democratic Party in 2002, would appear on the ballot. Despite the economic hardships experienced under Pedro Pangelinan Tenorio's Administration, the apparent strength the 1999 general elections signaled that the Democratic Party and its splinter Reform Party had, and the newly formed Covenant Party which was formed as a splinter party from the ruling Republican Party, Republican candidate Juan Nekai Babauta won with a landslide in the four-way race. Benigno Repeki Fitial's newly formed Covenant Party landed a distant yet sizable second place. Jesus Borja of the Democratic Party won a distant third and Froilan Tenorio of the Reform Party placed fourth.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Casas, Gemma Q. (2009-10-13). "Registered voters up by 15%". Marianas Variety . Retrieved 2009-10-12.
  2. ↑ "Charter change pushed to amend NMI election year". Saipan Tribune. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-23). "CNMI holds first runoff election". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  4. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-20). "Be counted in NMI's first runoff election". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  5. ↑ Staff, Variety News (2012-09-14). "Variations: The price of hubris". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  6. ↑ Casas, Gemma (2009-04-13). "GOP billboards vandalized". Marianas Variety News & Views . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  7. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee (2009-09-02). "Fitial off to Calif. for Labor Day festivities with NMI residents". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  8. ↑ Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-09-04). "Fitial, Heinz, Juan Pan in San Diego Labor Day fest". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  9. 1 2 Deposa, Moneth (2009-01-30). "Ex-gov Babauta to seek top post anew". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "2009 CNMI General Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  11. ↑ De Guzman, Andrew (2009-07-29). "Fitial approves runoff law". Marianas Variety News & Views . Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  12. ↑ Deposa, Moneth (2009-09-19). "Over 200 voters register on final day of enrollment". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  13. 1 2 3 "2009 CNMI Run-Off Election Results". Commonwealth Election Commission. Archived from the original on 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-09). "Independents to seal Heinz or Fitial victory". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
  15. ↑ "Northern Marianas governor wins re-election". The Honolulu Advertiser . Associated Press. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ Casas, Gemma (2009-11-17). "Northern Marianas' election race heats up". Radio Australia . Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  17. ↑ Casas, Gemma Q. (2000-05-04). "New CNMI Lieutenant Governor Confirmed". East West Center . Marianas Variety News & Views. Archived from the original on 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  18. ↑ Deposa, Moneth (2009-03-11). "Camacho jumps ship, agrees to partnership with Juan Pan". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
  19. ↑ Deposa, Moneth (2009-07-11). "Guerrero-Borja team first to file candidacy". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  20. 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel (2009-06-27). "Hofschneider is GOP Nominee; Babauta Reiterates Unity Pledge". Marianas Variety News & Views . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  21. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel (2009-06-29). "Republicans are one again". Marianas Variety News & Views . Retrieved 2009-06-28.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-07). "Polling places open; 3 of 4 governors lead voting in Garapan". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  23. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-10). "Inos reaches out to Independents". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-14). "Juan 'Pan' not endorsing Fitial and Hofschneider". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  25. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-13). "Camacho, other independents back Fitial-Inos". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Casas, Gemma Q. (2009-11-17). "Time for change". Marianas Variety . Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  27. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-11-17). "Kumoi backs Heinz; Borja supports Fitial". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  28. ↑ Eugenio, Haidee V. (2009-12-08). "Fitial seals victory with 370 lead". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
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