Should there be a limit in terms of how long someone can vote absentee? That’s a topic that has been brought up in Senate confirmation hearings for nominees for the Commonwealth Election Commission. 

Kurt John Maratita is a CEC nominee from Rota, who echoed some of that sentiment in his hearing.

“Why leave the island and look for a better life when there is life here? If you leave the island and want to claim for an absentee and here you are saying you have no interest in the land, in the island, why vote for the island,” said Maratita, Commonwealth Election Commission nominee in Rota. 

One senator responded to the comment, explaining the potential need to maintain the status quo no matter how long someone is away from home. The 2022 general election saw 1,531 absentee votes for the gubernatorial race.

“We also have professionals, we encourage our students to go out and get the education and the experience they can out there and then come back and give back, but sometimes the opportunities are not there. So is it at the fault of the government or the community? I do not want to penalize that person who does intend to come back at one point, if ever an opportunity becomes available provided that they would like to participate in the process that will affect or may affect their livelihood in the future and planning for the future and coming back to reside back here,” said Rota Sen. Donald Manglona. 

CNMI law currently has no cap on the number of years someone can vote absentee while away from home. A registered voter can vote by absentee ballot for reasons including needing to travel, going to school, employment, and receiving healthcare.

“Wouldn’t it just be right if you left the island to join the military, go to college…I mean that does kind of sound fair to me, but when you leave the island to look for better life and have nothing wanting to deal with the island, what does that look like,” said Maratita.