Voters across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands headed to the polls Tuesday as the 2026 general election got underway, with more than 5,400 ballots already cast through early voting and several high-profile races set to be decided.
According to the Commonwealth Election Commission, 18,521 voters are registered for the 2026 general election. The commission reported that 5,417 ballots had been cast through early voting as of Sunday.
Polls remained open throughout the day as voters on Saipan, Tinian and Rota selected candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, attorney general and legislative seats across the commonwealth.
In addition to candidate races, voters are deciding whether to convene a constitutional convention to propose amendments to the CNMI Constitution.
The proposal has attracted significant public attention because it could open the door to changes affecting the structure and operation of government and other constitutional provisions.
According to the Northern Mariana Islands Bar Association, a "yes" vote supports holding a constitutional convention to propose amendments, while a "no" vote opposes convening a convention.
The question faces a higher threshold than most ballot measures. For it to pass, at least two-thirds of all votes cast on the constitutional convention question commonwealthwide must be in favor. A simple majority is not enough.
The Commonwealth Election Commission is also prepared to conduct runoff elections if necessary. Under CNMI law, a runoff election is required if no gubernatorial ticket or attorney general candidate receives more than half of all votes cast and counted in the general election.
Any runoff election would be held 14 days after the Commonwealth Election Commission certifies the election results.
The possibility of a runoff has added another layer of interest to the gubernatorial and attorney general contests, particularly if multiple candidates divide the vote and prevent any contender from securing an outright majority.
Election officials are expected to begin releasing results after voting concludes Tuesday evening. Attention will focus on turnout, the outcomes of the commonwealth's major races and whether voters approve the constitutional convention question by the required two-thirds margin.
