In recent days, I have been receiving questions from concerned citizens regarding my qualifications to run for public office, particularly with respect to residency requirements. I have prepared here a summary of the requirements for House of Representatives candidates under CNMI law, and an explanation of how I meet those requirements, with references to documents that verify my eligibility.

Under Article II, Section 3(c) of the CNMI Constitution, “A representative shall be qualified to vote in the Commonwealth, at least 21 years of age, and a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least three years immediately preceding the date on which the representative takes office.” Article II, Section 3(d) also requires that a candidate “shall be a registered voter of the election precinct where he or she is a candidate.” The CNMI Constitution may be accessed online at www.cnmilaw.org/constitution.htm and at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.

Commonwealth election law used to require that candidates be residents of their precincts for at least two years immediately preceding the date of the election. The two-year precinct residency requirement, however, was removed in 2005 by Public Law 14-87. Today, our election law requires that a candidate for the House of Representatives simply be: 1) qualified to vote in the Commonwealth; 2) at least 21 years of age; 3) a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least three years immediately preceding the date on which s/he takes office; and 4) a registered voter and resident of the precinct in which s/he is a candidate. The Northern Mariana Islands Election Reform Act of 2000 (PL 12-18), and Public Law 14-87, which amends it, can both be accessed at www.cnmilaw.org . The Commonwealth Election Commission can also provide more information on CNMI election law, and can be reached at 664-VOTE.

Am I qualified to vote in the Commonwealth?

YES. I have been a registered voter in the Commonwealth since I turned 18. Public documents relating to my voter registration history can be found at the Commonwealth Election Commission.

Am I at least 21 years of age?

YES. I am 26. Public documents related to my age include my birth certificate, driver’s license, and passport.

Have I been a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least three years immediately preceding the date on which I will take office?

YES. I was born and raised in the CNMI, and left the islands at the age of 18 to attend college between the fall of 1999 and the fall of 2003. I returned to the CNMI in June 2004 after I had saved up enough money to buy a ticket home. My employment with the Division of Environmental Quality began shortly after my return. Public documents related to my residency in the CNMI include my birth certificate, voter registration history, and memoranda of agreement that I signed with the CNMI Scholarship Office indicating my commitment to return home upon the completion of my college education. The Division of Environmental Quality can verify my employment history; the number for that office is 664-8500.

Am I a registered voter and resident of the precinct in which I ran for office?

YES. I am a registered voter of Precinct 1, and I live in Fina Sisu. I have lived in this village since August 1, 2007, the date that I signed my lease for the house in which I currently reside. I filed my candidacy papers on August 6, and was certified as a candidate on August 24.

One source of confusion for some citizens seems to be a letter to the editor that I wrote which was published in the Marianas Variety on October 4, 2007. Below my name, the Variety indicated that I still resided in Navy Hill. By that time, I had not lived in Navy Hill for nearly two years, and had been living in Fina Sisu for over two months. On the same day the letter was published, I notified the Variety editor of the error and requested a correction. Letters thereafter indicated my correct residence. I still have a copy of the email I sent to the Variety editor if anyone would like to review it.

Finally, some have asked me why I switched precincts “at the last minute.” Suggestions have been made that it was a political maneuver on my part – though to what end, I am not entirely clear. Moving to Precinct 1 did not give me any special advantage in the election. It was probably more of a disadvantage for me to run in the most crowded election race on the island, in a precinct in which I had never lived before.

The reason I “switched precincts” is quite simple. I am a renter. Prior to renting a house in Fina Sisu, I was renting a house in Garapan. Prior to renting that house in Garapan, I was renting a studio in Navy Hill. Prior to that, I was off-island attending college, also renting apartments. Prior to that, I was still in high school living with my parents in Tanapag, the village where I was born and raised.

I decided to move to Fina Sisu because I could no longer afford the rent for the house in Garapan. In the middle of my move, I began to consider running for office. Before deciding to run for office, I read both the CNMI Constitution and the election laws, and checked with the Commonwealth Election Commission to make sure that I met and understood the residency requirements for House of Representatives candidates.

My decision to run for public office was admittedly a rather last-minute decision. My decision to move out of Garapan was not. It was something I had been considering for months, and I decided to move when I finally found a more affordable place to live in Fina Sisu.

Although my rental agreements these past three and a half years are private, not public documents, and therefore not subject to the Open Government Act, I have no problem showing them to anyone who would like to see them. I am also happy to answer any other questions or concerns regarding my election qualifications, or any other issues for that matter. Please call me at 483-3935, or email me at tinasablan@gmail.com .

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
 – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dear people of the Commonwealth,
 
Today’s Unity March will be a peaceful and historic demonstration for everyone who cares about the future of the Commonwealth.   The march does not seek to create or sharpen divides in our community.  It will not attack any individuals, businesses, agencies, or ethnic groups.   It will not pit any cultural groups or nationalities against each other, or employees against employers, or the local government against the federal government, or U.S. citizens against noncitizens, or Chamorros and Carolinians against all other members of the community. 
 
A few individuals have suggested otherwise, and have attempted to undermine the spirit of the Unity March.  They speak from ignorance.  Their messages of intolerance should be challenged, of course, but they themselves should be treated with compassion: they may simply not have the capacity, the courage, or the moral fiber to understand that our Commonwealth can and should aspire to be something greater than what it is.   
 
A continued reliance on cheap and indefinitely “temporary” foreign labor without any pathway to greater security for the workers will only perpetuate the problems of low wages, abuse and corruption, limited opportunities for citizens and permanent residents in the private sector, and little incentive for young people to pursue higher education and vocational training and return to work here to practice their professions.   Arbitrary job classifications, artificial quotas, and an ever-changing, laxly-enforced immigration and labor program full of loopholes and contradictions help no one: not citizens, not permanent residents, not foreign national workers, and not businesses.   When our best and brightest people leave the Commonwealth for better opportunities, when businesses raise prices, cut hours, or shut down, when investors shy away, and when government is forced to enact massive layoffs because of the resulting drops in revenue – we all suffer.  
 
We can imagine a great Commonwealth.  We can imagine a thriving economy in which all honest work is fairly valued, wages keep pace with the cost of living, and our quality of life improves over time.    We can imagine a community in which people are motivated to seek out higher education and continually improve their skills in order to compete to the best of their ability for decent jobs.   We can imagine flourishing local businesses that compete for the best, most qualified employees they can find by offering higher wages and better working conditions.   We can imagine a government that looks after the welfare of all its people, and that recognizes the power of the free market, the necessity of transparency and accountability, and the fundamental importance of fair and reasonable laws and consistent enforcement. 
 
Now, I am aware that some have questioned the “appropriateness” of a representative-elect participating in the Unity March.   Some have accused me of forgetting my people, and particularly the people who voted for me in my precinct.  I have also been accused of betraying my Chamorro culture. 
 
Before I decided to run for office, and throughout my campaign, I consistently and vocally supported the extension of federal immigration law to the CNMI, and improved status for long-term foreign national residents.   I have also opposed the new local labor law.  I have taken these positions with the long-term interests of all people who live here in mind.   My participation in this march should therefore be a surprise to no one.  I will be marching with foreign national residents, permanent residents, other U.S. citizens, and business owners, all of whom live in my precinct, and in every precinct, and all of whom have a stake in the immigration and labor issues facing the Commonwealth.   And while not everyone joining the march will be people who can vote, they do live here, work and pay taxes, have children who are U.S. citizens, and contribute to the life and development of the community.   They also deserve to be represented.
 
As for the notion that I am somehow betraying my Chamorro culture by taking on these issues:  I was raised by a Chamorro grandmother, father, and numerous other relatives who taught me to respect others regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality, to love all children, to care about the welfare of the entire community, and to be true to my convictions.   I was also raised by a non-Chamorro mother, and non-Chamorro uncles and aunties who basically taught me the same things.  I count Chamorros and non-Chamorros among my friends and family. 
 
To me, being Chamorro is not about tearing down people who are not Chamorro.  Intolerance is not a core Chamorro value. “Respect” for my culture does not mean I must disrespect other cultures.   And we do not regain or maintain our “dignity” by demeaning the inherent dignity of others.     
 
And just as importantly, “culture” is not a fixed and unchangeable thing.  Cultures are constantly changing, adapting to the times, and the ones that survive and prosper are usually the ones that manage to preserve the very best of their traditions while discarding those habits that hinder their advancement.   I would suggest that the habits of fear and intolerance are those aspects of “culture” in the Commonwealth that need to change, because they are crippling us all as a people, while the habits of respect and care for one another are the very best traditions that deserve to be upheld and enhanced because they will continue to propel us forward.  
 
The Unity March represents a vision for the Commonwealth that embraces all people who call our islands home, people who live, work, pay taxes, and raise their families here.   It is for all of us who love these islands, who wish to be part of the effort to rebuild the economy and to help improve the quality of life here for ourselves and our families.   It is for all of us who desire economic recovery through genuine immigration and labor reform and better governance.  It is for all of us who understand that the core values of humanity are respect for one another, and treating others as we would wish to be treated.   We are all called to embrace these values, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, religion, or occupation.
 
Now, more than ever, we need each other to stand together in mutual respect and cooperation, united by a common aspiration to realize a great future as a Commonwealth. 
 
The Unity March begins at 4:30pm today at Kilili Beach.  For more information, please contact me at tinasablan@gmail.com, or call me at 483-3935.
 
 
Tina Sablan

What: Unity March
When:  Friday, December 7 — assembly starts at 4:30pm
Where:  Kilili Beach to American Memorial Park
Why:  To protest PL 15-108, the new local labor law; to express support for the extension of federal immigration law to the CNMI; and to call on U.S. Congress to retain the provision that would grant improved status to long-term alien residents in the bill to federalize immigration
Who:  All members of the community are invited to join this march
 
All members of the community, of all ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, religions, and occupations, are called to join in the historic and peaceful Unity March on Friday, December 7, beginning with an assembly at 4:30pm at Kilili Beach, and ending at American Memorial Park.   Unity March demonstrators will call for just and rational local labor laws, for the extension of federal immigration law to the CNMI, and for improved immigration status for long-term alien residents.
 
Traffic Advisory
Motorists are advised to exercise caution when driving on Beach Road between Kilili Beach and American Memorial Park from 4:30pm and 9pm, as there are expected to be hundreds of demonstrators, including children, walking along the street and pathway up to Quartermaster Road.   Before 7pm, the Department of Public Safety will be closing the northbound lane of Beach Road just after Quartermaster Road, and Unity Marchers will move into the streets up to American Memorial Park.
 
Transportation
Transportation will be provided to and from the march for those who need it.   Pick-ups will be at San Antonio basketball court and Garapan basketball court, beginning at 4pm. 
 
People who are unable to march the entire length of the street from Kilili Beach to American Memorial Park are encouraged to ride in the Unity March convoy, or to simply head straight to the American Memorial Park to meet with other demonstrators and participate in the closing ceremony.    
 
Local Musicians to Perform
Local musicians Steve Sablan and Floyd Lim from the Big Beats have volunteered to perform throughout the march to keep up the spirits of the demonstrators.   Other musicians have also been invited to perform.
 
In the Evening, Rain or Shine
All participants are asked to bring water and flashlights.  Umbrellas are also advised.  The Unity March will take place rain or shine.
 
Placards and Banners
Placards and banners have been prepared for the march.  Participants are also invited to bring their own placards and banners indicating the message(s) they wish to convey, the organizations they are representing, etc. Organizers only ask that all signs promote the spirit of unity and peaceful expression.   
 
Expected Participants
Bangladeshi Community,
Bicol Association,
Business owners,
Carolinians,
Chamorros,
Children,
Chinese Community,
Dekada,
Federal and local government officials,
Foreign national workers,
Human Dignity Movement,
Investors,
Japanese Community,
Korean Association,
Local attorneys,
Micronesians and other Pacific Islanders,
MOVER,
Off-island supporters,
Permanent residents,
PILCOWA,
Refugees,
Retirees,
Social workers and advocates,
Students,
Teachers,
Thai Association,
United Filipino Organization,
U.S. citizens,
Various professional associations,
Various religious groups, and
Many other individuals and organizations of diverse backgrounds, all unified by a desire to improve the immigration and labor system for the fair protection and long-term benefit of all workers and businesses in the CNMI.   
 
To Contribute
Businesses or individuals interested in making in-kind donations of water, trash bags, banners, placards, paint supplies, and other materials may contact Ed Propst at 483-7361.  
 
To Volunteer
Individuals interested in volunteering to assist at the aid stations, to pass out water, ribbons, etc., or to assist with ensuring traffic safety, particularly trained individuals such as security guards, JROTC/ROTC officers, and the Boy Scouts may contact Conrad Ocampo at 286-8625.   The Red Cross will be providing logistical support for aid stations.   
 
Individuals interested in volunteering to drive participants to and from the Unity March may contact Wendell at 483-9494.
 
For More Information
Please contact Ed Propst at 483-7361; Tina Sablan at 483-3935; Boni Sagana at 484-0507; or Stephen Woodruff at 235-3872.    
 
***
 
Thanks very much!
 
Tina Sablan

What: Unity March

When:  Friday, December 7 — assembly starts at 4:30pm

Where:  Kilili Beach to American Memorial Park

Why:  To protest Public Law 15-108, the new local labor law; to express support for the extension of federal immigration law to the CNMI; and to call on U.S. Congress to retain the provision that would grant improved status to long-term alien residents in the bill to federalize immigration                                                                                    

Who:  All members of the community are invited to join this march

***

All members of the community, of all nationalities, cultural backgrounds, religions, and occupations — are invited to participate in the CNMI’s first Unity March on December 7, 2007, beginning with an assembly at 4:30pm at Kilili Beach across from Ada Gym and ending at American Memorial Park.

The Unity March will be a peaceful demonstration of solidarity against the harmful, punitive, and anti-business provisions of the newly-enacted local labor law, Public Law 15-108.  The new local labor law, which will become effective in January 2008, threatens to severely impact the local economy, workers in the private and public sectors, businesses, and families. 

Demonstrators will also march to express support for the extension of federal immigration law to the CNMI, and for improved immigration status for long-term alien residents of the CNMI.  Improved status for long-term alien residents will help create a freer labor market, encourage rising wages and better working conditions, provide a bigger, more stable and more reliable pool of qualified resident workers for businesses, reduce workers’ vulnerability to labor abuses and exploitation, and keep families together.  Improved status for long-term alien residents, combined with a sound and fairly-enforced federal immigration program tailored to local needs, would do much to stabilize the local economy and put the CNMI on a path to genuine recovery. 

All members of the community have a stake in the immigration and labor issues facing the CNMI, whether they are citizens, permanent residents, or aliens, and therefore, all members of the community are encouraged to join in the march.   Supporters in Tinian and Rota are also invited to hold a Unity March in their respective islands on the same date and time.  

Unity March participants are asked to bring water and a flashlight.  Also, as a symbol of peace and hope, please wear white to the event.

For more information about the Unity March, please text or call Boni Sagana at 484-0507, Tina Sablan at 483-3935, Ed Propst at 483-7361, or Steve Woodruff at 235-3872.

We hope to see you there.

– Tina Sablan