2009 Northern Mariana Islands general election
Gubernatorial election
7 November 2009 (first round)
23 November 2009 (runoff)
 
Nominee Benigno Fitial Heinz Hofschneider
Party Covenant Republican
Running mate Eloy Inos Arnold Palacios
Popular vote 6,610 6,240
Percentage 51.44% 48.56%
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

House election
7 November 2009
All 20 seats in the House of Representatives
11 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Republican 9 −3
Covenant 7 +3
Independents 4 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Senate election
7 November 2009
6 of the 9 seats in the Senate
5 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Republican 5 +2
Independents 4 +3
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]

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" 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" 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]

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" 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)

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.[18] 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."[19]

Republican Primary results[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Heinz S. Hofschneider 3,382 53
Republican Juan N. Babauta 2,986 47
Total votes 6,368 100

Independents

Democratic Party

For the first time in its history, 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.

Polling

Source Dates Administered Fitial (C) Hofschneider (R) Juan Guerrero (I) Ramon Guerrero (I) Undecided
University of Guam October 27, 2009 27% 27% 19% 12% 16%
Marianas Consulting October 29 - Nov. 4, 2009 15% 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 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 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.[24][25] Camacho's brother, Clyde Norita, who was the chairman for the Executive Committee to Elect Juan Pan 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

Summary of the 07 and 23 November 2009 Northern Mariana Islands gubernatorial election results
Candidate Running mate Party First round[10] Second round[13]
Votes  % Votes  %
Benigno Repeki Fitial Eulogio "Eloy" Songao Inos Covenant 4,892 36.14% 6,610 51.44%
Heinz Sablan Hofschneider Arnold Indalecio Palacios Republican 4,900 36.20% 6,240 48.56%
Juan "Pan" Tenorio Guerrero Joseph James Norita Camacho Independent 2,643 19.53%
Ramon "Kumoi" Santos Deleon Guerrero David Muna Borja Independent 1,101 8.13%
Total 13,536 100% 12,850 100%

Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature

Results Summary

Parties House Election Results Seat Change Party Strength
2007 2009 +/− Strength
  Republican 12 9 3 Decrease 45.00%
  Covenant 4 7 3 Increase 35.00%
  Independent 3 4 1 Increase 20.00%
  Democratic 1 0 1 Decrease 0.00%
Totals 20 20 Steady 100.00%
Parties Senate Election Results Seat Change Party Strength
2007 2009 +/− Strength
  Republican 2 5 3 Increase 55.56%
  Independent 3 4 1 Increase 44.44%
  Covenant 3 0 3 Decrease 0.00%
  Democratic 1 0 1 Decrease 0.00%
Totals 9 9 Steady 100.00%

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]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Jovita Maratita Taimanao 578 24.03%
Independent Juan Manglona Ayuyu 544 22.62%
Independent Joey Anthony Quitugua 489 20.33%
Independent Paterno Songao Hocog 436 18.13%
Independent Norbert Hocog Mundo 215 8.94%
Independent Calista Taimanao Pendergrass 143 5.95%
Turnout 2,405 100.00%
Tinian 2nd Senatorial District (2 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Francisco Quichuchu Cruz 698 28.51%
Republican Jude Untalan Hofschneider 637 26.02%
Covenant Joaquin Hoashi Borja 564 23.04%
Covenant Joseph Masga Mendiola 549 22.43%
Turnout 2,448 100.00%
Saipan & Northern Islands 3rd Senatorial District (2 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torress 4,792 24.22%
Republican Pete Pangelinan Reyes 3,269 16.52%
Covenant Jacinta Matagolai Kaipat 2,947 14.90%
Democratic Justo Songao Quitugua 2,781 14.06%
Independent Christina Marie Elise Sablan (Tina Sablan) 2,430 12.28%
Covenant Ana Sablan Teregeyo 1,768 8.94%
Independent Paul William Camacho 967 4.89%
Independent Gregorio Sanchez Cruz 829 4.19%
Turnout 19,783 100.00%

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. The Senate was controlled by the Covenant Party in a coalition with the Democrats and a lone independent.

House of Representative - District 1: Saipan (6 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Diego Tenorio Benavente 2,028 11.93%
Covenant Froilan Cruz "Lang" Tenorio 1,671 9.83%
Republican Joseph Pinaula Deleon Guerrero 1,634 9.61%
Republican Antonio Pangelinan Sablan 1,498 8.81%
Republican Joseph Mafnas Palacios 1,494 8.79%
Republican Eliceo Diaz Cabrera 1,485 8.73%
Republican Janet Ulloa Maratita 1,413 8.31%
Independent Victoria Tudela Guerrero 1,127 6.63%
Independent Raymond Ulloa Palacios 1,126 6.62%
Covenant Vicente Camacho Cabrera 993 5.84%
Covenant Benjamin Matagolai Cepeda 918 5.40%
Covenant Antonia Manibusan Tudela 852 5.01%
Covenant Canice Kaipat Taitano 764 4.49%
Turnout 17,003 100.00%
House of Representative - District 2: Saipan (2 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Covenant Raymond Demapan Palacios 494 27.07%
Covenant Rafael Sablan Demapan 381 20.88%
Republican Eric Benavente Atalig 347 19.01%
Republican Manuel Agulto Tenorio 323 17.70%
Independent Ramon Benavente Aldan 155 8.49%
Independent Henry Ayuyu Torres 125 6.85%
Turnout 1,825 100.00%
House of Representative - District 3: Saipan (6 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ramon Angailen Tebuteb 1,221 9.08%
Republican Ray Naraja Yumul 1,197 8.90%
Republican Francisco Santos Dela Cruz 1,151 8.56%
Covenant Felicidad Taman Ogumoro 1,140 8.48%
Covenant Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez 1,079 8.03%
Independent Stanley Estanislao Tudela McGinnis Torres 1,078 8.02%
Covenant Jesus Mareham Elameto 957 7.12%
Covenant David Reyes Maratita 901 6.70%
Independent Miguel Atalig Camacho 874 6.50%
Covenant Henry Kaipat Rabauliman 864 6.43%
Independent Rita Camacho Chong-Dela Cruz 818 6.08%
Republican Ramon Sablan Salas 799 5.94%
Republican Daniel Jr. Iwashita Aquino 721 5.36%
Republican Jesus Manibusan Castro 644 4.79%
Turnout 13,444 100.00%
House of Representative - District 4: Saipan (2 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Covenant Sylvestre Ilo Iguel 618 23.69%
Independent George Norita Camacho 554 21.23%
Republican Juan Reyes Babauta 504 19.32%
Covenant Thomas Jesus Camacho 480 18.40%
Republican Francisco Deleon Guerrero Camacho 453 17.36%
Turnout 2,609 100.00%
House of Representative - District 5: Saipan (2 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Frederick Peters Deleon Guerrero 775 21.97%
Covenant Ramon Sablan Basa 664 18.83%
Democratic Jesse David Jones Torres 514 14.57%
Republican Jose Sabalan Demapan 450 12.76%
Republican Rosemond Blanco Santos 415 11.77%
Covenant Daniel Ogo Quitugua 409 11.60%
Independent Joseph Muna Mendiola 172 4.88%
Democratic Willie Lee Brundidge Jr. 128 3.63%
Turnout 3,527 100.00%
House of Representative - District 6: Tinian (1 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Trenton Brian Conner 651 54.20%
Covenant Edwin Palacios Aldan 550 45.80%
Turnout 1,201 100.00%
House of Representative - District 7: Rota (1 seats)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Teresita Apatang Santos 695 53.50%
Independent Ross Hugh Songao Manglona 604 46.50%
Turnout 1,299 100.00%

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]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald Glenn Flores 2,392 22.68%
Independent Marian Deleon Guerrero Tudela 1,620 15.36%
Democratic Angelo O'Connor Villagomez 1,612 15.29%
Independent Roman Cepeda Benavente 1,586 15.04%
Independent Lino Sablan Tenorio 1,527 14.48%
Independent Antonio Muna Camacho 571 5.41%
Independent Jose Deleon Guerrero Sanchez 530 5.03%
Independent Candido Babauta Taman 420 3.98%
Independent Juan Sablan Demapan 287 2.72%
Turnout 10,545 100.00%
Mayor - Tinian & Aquiguan[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ramon Muna Dela Cruz 696 55.19%
Covenant Jose Pangelinan Borja San Nicolas 565 44.81%
Turnout 1,261 100.00%
Mayor - Rota[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Melchor Atalig Mendiola 547 39.47%
Independent Victor Borja Hocog 498 35.93%
Independent Steve King Mesngon 341 24.60%
Turnout 1,386 100.00%
Mayor - Northern Islands[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Tobias Dela Cruz Aldan 69 50.36%
Covenant Ramona Taisakan Rebuenog 68 49.64%
Turnout 137 100.00%

Municipal Council

Municipal Council - Saipan & Northern Islands[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Ramon Jose Blas Camacho 6,343 54.29%
Independent Eric Demapan Diaz 5,341 45.71%
Turnout 11,684 100.00%
Municipal Council - Tinian & Aguiguan[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Patrick A. Manglona 701 18.88%
Independent Esteven Pangelinan Cabrera 675 18.18%
Independent Joseph San Nicolas Cruz 627 16.89%
Independent Ignacio Pangelinan Aquiningoc 596 16.05%
Independent Eugenio Henry Lizama Villagomez 571 15.38%
Independent Eric Henry Cruz San Nicolas 543 14.62%
Turnout 3,713 100.00%
Municipal Council - Rota (non-partisan)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Arvin Cabrera Ogo 657 17.91%
Independent George Ogo Hocog 511 13.93%
Independent Prudencio Atalig Manglona 459 12.51%
Independent Brian Manglona Mendiola 405 11.04%
Independent Vicente Mesngon Rosario 396 10.79%
Independent Gardner Trazan Delos Santos Barcinas 289 7.88%
Independent Alfred Maratita Jr. Apatang 263 7.17%
Independent Eusebio Mendiola Manglona 254 6.92%
Independent Vincent Robert Castro Hocog 190 5.18%
Independent Brelinda Atalig Taimanao 168 4.58%
Independent John Cabrera Taisacan 77 2.10%
Turnout 3,669 100.00%

Board of education

Board of Education - Saipan & Northern Islands (4D) (non-partisan)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Herman Tenorio Guerrero 7,625 100.00%
Turnout 7,625 100.00%
Board of Education - Tinian & Aguiguan (non-partisan)[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Lucia Linda Blanco-Maratita 641 52.28%
Independent James Masga Mendiola 585 47.72%
Turnout 1,226 100.00%

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 text Proposed 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] For Against Total
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%

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.
  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. 1 2 Erediano, Emmanuel (2009-06-27). "Hofschneider is GOP Nominee; Babauta Reiterates Unity Pledge". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  19. ↑ Erediano, Emmanuel (2009-06-29). "Republicans are one again". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ 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.
  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 5 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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