Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
b . No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
i . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber)
Comments: The legislature may provide for the registration of voters, nomination of candidates, absentee voting, secrecy in voting, administration of elections, resolution of election contests, and other matters with respect to election procedures.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Constitution, Article 8, section 3
Verified: 2024/12/11
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
e . Elected by electoral college or committee
Comments: As the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands is in political union with the United States, the head of state is the U.S. President who is elected by electoral college, which consists of representatives directly elected by people from every state. Residents of the Commonwealth are however not entitled to in the U.S. presidential elections, although they may vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections.
Source: Constitution, Preamble
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Verified: 2024/11/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
b . Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The executive power is vested in a governor who is jointly elected with the lieutenant governor for a four year term. Each voter casts a single vote applicable to both offices. After the Commonwealth Election Commission certifies the results of a general election and if no candidates receive more than one half of the total votes cast and counted for the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, on the fourteenth day thereafter, a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for governor and the lieutenant governor receiving the highest and second highest number of votes cast and counted for those offices.
Source: Constitution, art. III, sec. 4
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Verified: 2024/11/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The head of state is the President of the United States.
Source: Constitution, Preamble
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Verified: 2010/01/07
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: Northern Marianas Commonwealth legislature is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Source: Constitution, art. II, sec. 1
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Verified: 2024/11/28
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments:
Source: Constitution, art. II, sec. 3
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Verified: 2024/11/28
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
b . Separate legislation d . Regulations or administrative rules
Comments: The constitution provides the legislature with the authority to make election laws. The legislature appoints the election commission which governs and administrates the national election.
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Election commission regulation
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Constitution, Article 8, section 3
Verified: 2024/12/11
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections
Comments:
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Election commission regulation
Verified: 2024/12/11
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Verified: 2024/12/11
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
b . EMB
Comments:
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Election commission regulation
https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Constitution, Article 8, section 3
Verified: 2024/12/11
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level
Comments: The duties of the election commission are to "To administer all general, primary, local, and special elections, including questions pertaining to initiatives, referenda and recalls in the Commonwealth."
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
PUBLIC LAW NO. 12-18
Section 6105 (B)
Verified: 2024/12/11
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Article_VIII,_Northern_Mariana_Islands_Constitution
Constitution, article 8, section 3
Verified: 2024/12/11
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Article_VIII,_Northern_Mariana_Islands_Constitution
Constitution, article 8, section 3
Verified: 2024/12/11
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: (a) Members shall serve for a term of four years, except that of the members first appointed, two (2) shall serve for a term of one (1) year, two (2) shall serve for two (2) years, two (2) shall serve for three (3) years, and three (3) shall serve for four (4) years. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive four-year terms, or in the case of members appointed for less than four years, for the period of term to which he is appointed plus one (1) four (4) year term.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
National election law 6103
Verified: 2024/12/11
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Commission shall have nine (9) members appointed by the Governor subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Five members shall be residents of Saipan and the islands north of Saipan, two members shall be residents of Rota, and two members shall be residents of the islands of Tinian and Aguiguan.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Electoral management law 6101
Verified: 2024/12/11
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
d . Not Applicable
Comments: Pursuant to 1 CMC §6102 and §6103, the Commission shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor subject to the advice and consent of the Senate
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State e . Legislature
Comments: Pursuant to 1 CMC §6102 and §6103, the Commission shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor subject to the advice and consent of the Senate
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/about-cec
1 CMC §6102 and §6103
Verified: 2024/12/11
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body
Comments: "...To promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to procedures to be followed respecting the receipt and investigation of, and the actions taken on, complaints of election irregularities." -Duties of the election management commission
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6105 (g)
Verified: 2024/12/11
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: A person is eligible to vote who, on the date of the election, is eighteen years of age or older, is domiciled in the Commonwealth, is a resident of the Commonwealth and has resided in the Commonwealth for a period of time provided by law, is not serving a sentence for a felony, has not been found by a court to be of unsound mind, and is either a citizen or national of the United States.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Constitution, article 7, section 1
Verified: 2024/12/11
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence e . Other
Comments: A person is eligible to vote who, on the date of the election, is eighteen years of age or older, is domiciled in the Commonwealth, is a resident of the Commonwealth and has resided in the Commonwealth for a period of time provided by law, is not serving a sentence for a felony, has not been found by a court to be of unsound mind, and is either a citizen or national of the United States.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Constitution, article 7, section 1
Verified: 2024/12/11
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The executive director (of the election commission) shall be responsible to maximize the registration of eligible electors throughout the Commonwealth. In maximizing registration the executive director may conduct surveys, carry on house to house canvassing, and other activities necessary to ensure maximum registration.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6109 (b)
Verified: 2024/12/11
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify requirement)
Comments: Has received, at the most recent general election, in the event it had a candidate for each of the offices to be filled, not less than ten percent (10%) of the total votes cast therein; or in the event it had a lesser number of candidates than there were offices to be filled, each such party candidate received not less than ten percent (10%) of the total votes cast for the office to which the candidate sought election.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election commission regulation, section 6003(o)(3)
Verified: 2024/12/11
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: A senator shall be qualified to vote in the Commonwealth, at least twenty-five years of age, and a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least five years immediately preceding the date on which the senator takes office. A longer residency and domicile requirement may be provided by law.
Citizenship of the United States is a requirement to vote
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Constitution, section 2, article 2 (c), and section 7, article 2
Verified: 2024/12/11
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Verified: 2024/12/11
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Verified: 2024/12/11
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Parties are entitled to private funding so long as they meet reporting requirements outlined in the election commission regulation.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Election commission regulation
Part 700 -Campaign Financial Disclosure
Verified: 2024/12/11
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments: The accounting of ballots shall begin after all the polls in each election district are closed and shall continue in any tabulating location specified by the Commission until all votes are counted.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6524 (a)(1)
Verified: 2024/12/11
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: Within the five days after personal receipt of the complaint by the defendant, an answer or any responsive pleading or motion shall be filed with the Court... At the hearing the ballots shall be recounted in the presence of all parties, where it appears from the complaint filed that a recount is necessary for the proper determination of the contest. If two or more statements of contest are filed requiring a recount, the Commission may join the action of the contestants for the purpose of recounting the votes.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6604 (a) and 6605 (a)
Verified: 2024/12/11
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Verified: 2024/12/11
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
h . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Verified: 2024/12/10
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Article 2. Campaign Financial Disclosure.
Verified: 2024/12/11
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The ballot may include questions concerning proposed Commonwealth constitutional amendments or proposed initiative or referendum issues.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6208 (e)
Verified: 2024/12/11
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/10
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The ballot may include questions concerning proposed Commonwealth constitutional amendments or proposed initiative or referendum issues.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6208 (e)
Verified: 2024/12/11
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6208 (e)
Verified: 2024/12/11
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/10
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: To administer all general, primary, local, and special elections, including questions pertaining to initiatives, referenda and recalls in the Commonwealth. - Duties of the Election commission
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6105 (b)
Verified: 2024/12/11
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
d . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: The ballot may include questions concerning proposed Commonwealth constitutional amendments or proposed initiative or referendum issues.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
Election law 6208 (e)
Verified: 2024/12/11
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2024/12/11
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
c . At any polling station in the same country
Comments: The Commission shall choose polling places for each election no less than 60 days prior to the date of the election. Public schools and public buildings, whenever possible, shall be utilized as polling places during elections and the Commission shall insure that polling places are located in prominent locations or central portions of precincts or in the heaviest most populated areas of the precinct to make the polling locations as easily accessible to all voters.
Source: https://cnmilaw.org/cons.php#gsc.tab=0
Verified: 2024/12/11
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country d . Members of the armed forces
Comments: A person otherwise qualified to vote may submit his registration affidavit by mail so long as the registration affidavit is signed and notarized by a commissioned notary public licensed by the state or jurisdiction that the voter resides in or for those eligible voters who are serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces, to include their eligible voter spouses and eligible voter children, by a commissioned officer of the United States authorized to administer an oath
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Election commission regulations, section 30-10-210 (a)
Verified: 2024/12/11
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
e . By mail
Comments:
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Election commission regulations, section 30-10-210 (a)
Verified: 2024/12/11
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: The instructions shall state the voter is to blacken the corresponding oval next to the candidates name that the voter intends to vote for
Source: https://www.votecnmi.gov.mp/downloads/CEC_Regulation.pdf
Election commission regulations, section 30-10-406
Verified: 2024/12/11
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