SIXTY-FOUR percent of voters wanted change, but Gov. Benigno R. Fitial garnered enough support to make it into a runoff against Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, who beat the incumbent by just eight votes — the closest gubernatorial election in CNMI history.
The previous record was set by the two in 2005, when Fitial defeated Hofschneider by 84 votes.
Now a law requires the top two candidates to face each other again in a runoff.
Hofschneider got 4,900 votes on Saturday compared to Fitial’s 4,892. (For the complete list of results go to http://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/electionresults.php)
The independent gubernatorial team of Juan T. Guerrero and his running mate House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho finished a distant third with 2,643 votes and only 1,075 chose the independent ticket of former Sen. Ramon S. Deleon Guerrero and former Education Commissioner David Borja.
Guerrero was unavailable for comment yesterday while Deleon Guerrero declined to be interviewed.
There were 16,146 voters who registered for the general election and 13,510 ballots were counted for the four-way gubernatorial race, excluding overvotes and spoiled ballots.
The Commonwealth Election Commission, which used two counting machines, finished the task before 6 a.m., Sunday.
Under the law, the winning gubernatorial team should have at least 6,756 votes.
The commission should also certify the winning candidates on or before Tuesday, Nov. 17.
After the certification process, the commission must schedule a runoff 14 days between the two gubernatorial teams with the highest number of votes.
Assistant Attorney General Meaghan Hassel-Shearer said registered voters for this year’s general elections who failed to vote can still do so during the runoff.
“The important things for the public to be aware of: One, if you registered for this election but you didn’t vote you’re still registered for the runoff. So we want to make sure that everyone votes. Secondly, if a runoff occurs and they’re not going to be on island and they know that, they need to come down to the multi-purpose center and fill up an emergency ballot request,” she said.
The runoff changes the rule for the absentee ballots.
“Instead of having to be here on the day of the election, they get to be postmarked on the day of the election and we pick them up 14 days after the election,” she added.
With 14 more days after the runoff before the absentee votes are counted, Hassel-Shearer said the new governor-elect won’t be known until mid-next month.
May the best man win
In an interview yesterday morning, the Republican Hofschneider said he will reach out to the Deleon Guerrero-Borja and Guerrero-Camacho teams to effect the changes that the people are clamoring for.
Taotao Tano leader Greg Cruz, who backed the Deleon Guerrero-Borja ticket, said he will urge his supporters to vote for Hofschneider in the runoff.
“We must not continue the suffering of so many in our homeland. We need leaders with reasoning and diplomacy to lead us into the right path to prosperity. We must stop the adversarial stance against the federal government. We must join Heinz and [his running mate Speaker] Arnold [Palacios] because they are the true leaders with proven experience.”
Cruz, a defeated senatorial candidate, at the same time thanked the voters for participating in the elections.
Fitial, in a separate interview, said he was already “planning our next move.”
His running mate, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos said their team is thankful to those who supported the ruling Covenant Party’s slate.
“We are flattered by their show of support and we look forward to the runoff. As they say, may the best man win,” he added.
Peaceful election
Election Commission Chairwoman Frances Sablan, who went to different polling places on Saipan, said it was a generally peaceful election except for some concerns raised on how far campaign materials should be posted away from the polling places.
“I am hoping that we can pass a law regarding posting signs everywhere,” she said.
The election commissioners convened at the multi-purpose center on Saturday night to tabulate the votes.
Absentee votes totaling 2,100 were counted first.
Sablan said they have to count them first in anticipation of a runoff.
Robert A. Guerrero, the executive director of the commission, said he’s satisfied with the election and hopes to have the same cooperation from the public when the runoff is held next month.
Comments
You voted straight down party line. It didn\'t matter if the candidate was unscrupulous, deceptive, self serving, etc., what mattered was THE PARTY. I thought people genuinely wanted change, but it\'s the same ol\' same ol\' party politics. You failed to vote intelligently (all you voters who voted straight down the party line). We\'re stuck for the next 5 years and you will have no one else to blame but your own ignorance. Heaven help us if Fitial comes out on top!
I hope Convenant, Juan Pan & Komoi and their supporters vote for change… Put your differences aside and think of what\'s best for the CNMI not you pockets.
we don\'t need a run off it\'s over . Oh minus well do it sweep time nomore bitter times, Let it be or send him free…
The overwhelming answer is NO. It is clear, by the election results, that people want to sincerely change the direction the Commonwealth is headed and that they want new leadership after the current administration has failed to provide any leadership. Things are worse than ever—bitter, not better.