CEC says election reform bill ready

11/25/2025 - The Commonwealth Election Commission is asking for the Legislature’s help in introducing and passing an election reform bill that would usher the CNMI into the digital age of voting.

CEC board member Florence Sablan made the request during the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations hearing last Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill, after several lawmakers questioned the commission about the status of its election reform recommendations.

The CNMI’s current election law is governed by the Northern Mariana Islands Election Reform Act of 2000, along with subsequent amendments.

“We’ve approved submitting a bill to amend the election law because it hasn’t been amended for years. A lot of it was worked on by the previous board or board members—except for the ones brought up during my [EAGI] hearing, which I submitted. Out of the five that were brought up, four were approved by the board,” she said.

Marianas Press called the CEC office, which confirmed that the four approved amendments relate to online registration, early voting, absentee voting, and residency requirements.

Sablan said the Legislature’s response to the proposed election law amendments has so far been tepid.

“It seems like the response I'm getting from some politicians is that ‘it’s going to affect our election’ because a lot of the people I talked to are running. But I'm sorry, I'm very outspoken,” she said.

She added that if the House and Senate are serious about amending the election law, they should act quickly.

“Time is short before the gubernatorial election. And I know why they're hesitant, but don’t think of yourself. Think of the voters—the young generation. That’s why you’re here, right? So let’s do something about it. I’m very disappointed with the people I talked to because they were very agreeable, but now I guess they realize, ‘oh, this might hurt me during my election.’”

In response, Sen. Donald M. Manglona said the Senate is ready to support updates to the election law. He told Sablan that if she had a hard copy or email of the proposed legislation, he would prefile it immediately.

Sablan said that since filling the vacant CEC seat, she has made it her mission to help craft legislation to amend the election law. She also credited the late governor Arnold I. Palacios for appointing her specifically for that purpose.

“Former governor Arnold, when he appointed me, he knew my background because I amended a lot of regulations and laws for my two boards. And so he asked me, ‘Flo, I need your help… help the board amend [the law].’ All the board members knew, and that’s why I went into it. I was really working with our legal counsel, Robert Glass. It’s ready. We voted for it in a board meeting. It’s ready, but it’s a timid response from the House,” she said.

EAGI chair Francisco Q. Cruz and Sen. Manny T. Castro assured Sablan and the CEC that the hearing was not an oversight hearing and that their discussion was strictly focused on recommendations.

Earlier in the hearing, CEC board nominees Elsie Tilipao-Rebuenog and Mark O. Rabauliman thanked Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis C. Mendiola for their confidence and told senators they are ready to serve.

“Should this esteemed committee mirror the governor and lieutenant governor’s sentiments, I stand ready to serve and contribute to the board,” said Rabauliman, a former Department of Commerce secretary.

Rebuenog, also nominated from the Third District and representing the Carolinian community, highlighted her experience as program manager at Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. She noted her career has focused on ensuring access for individuals with disabilities, including training CEC staff and poll workers on ADA principles.

“My goal is to ensure that there is accessibility in all of our elections,” she said. “If I am confirmed, I will continue to push for better accessibility.”

Report by Mark Rabago