Tuesday's polls opened at 7am and will close at 7pm local time (10pm NZT). Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago
Voters in the US territory of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in the western Pacific are casting their ballots today, with over 60 positions up for grabs.
While citizens of the CNMI cannot vote for the US president, the highlight of the general elections is the US delegate race, a position that has been held by Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan since 2009, when the islands began to have a non-voting representative in the US Congress.
The five delegate candidates are Republican Party of the CNMI's Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the CNMI Democratic Party's and House floor leader Rep Edwin Props, and independent candidates John Gonzales, Liana Hoffschneider, and James Rayphand.
There will also be elections for the local legislature-Senate and House of Representatives-municipal council, Board of Education, and one election for judge retention.
The Commonwealth Election Commission (CEC) wrapped up early voting on Monday afternoon.
The CEC records so far show lower-than-expected numbers: 5000 instead of the expected 8000.
Tuesday's polls opened at 7am and will close at 7pm local time (10pm NZT).
The election commission is expected to start counting the votes immediately after, with results expected Wednesday.
Meanwhile, polls in Palau and Guam are also being held today, while voters in American Samoa hit the polls on the same day as mainland America tomorrow.
