Title 6 — Elections

Facsimiles of all ballot layouts prior to printing shall be available for viewing by the candidates at the office of the Chief Election Officer as soon after the close of filing as they are available. The layout facsimiles shall show the type faces used, the spelling and placemen…

(a) Any candidate may withdraw not later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day after the close of filing for any reason and may withdraw after the close of filing up to 4:30 p.m. on the 10th day prior to an election for reasons of ill health when the notice is accompanied by a statement …

In case of death, withdrawal, or disqualification of any candidate after filing, the vacancy so caused may be filled by the Chief Election Officer in the same manner as regular filing not later than the 5th day prior to a general or special election. The name of the replacement s…

(a) The ballots shall be printed by order of the Chief Election Officer. (b) Each district shall receive a sufficient number of ballots based on the number of registered qualified electors and the expected spoilage in the election concerned. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1; amd 2002,…

(a) The Chief Election Officer shall forward the official ballots, specimen ballots, and other materials to the election officials of the various districts. They shall be delivered and kept in a secure fashion in accordance with rules adopted by the Chief Election Officer. In no …

At least 10 days before the election, the Chief Election Officer may cause sample ballots to be distributed among the qualified electors, so that the electorate will be informed of the names of the candidates, or the issues, or both. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1; amd 2002, PL 27-3…

The polls shall be opened by the district officials at 6 a.m. of the election day and shall be kept open continuously until 6 p.m. of that day. If, at the closing hour of voting, any qualified elector desiring to vote is standing in line outside the entrance of the polls with the…

No person, other than the district officials, the candidates or 1 representative appointed in writing by each candidate, and such qualified electors as are for the time being actually engaged in voting or going to and returning therefrom, may be permitted within the poll-ing plac…

(a) The district officials shall provide sufficient booths within the polling place at or in which the qualified electors may conveniently cast their ballots. The booths shall be so arranged that in casting the ballots the qualified electors are screened from the observation of o…

The Chief Election Officer shall provide suitable ballot boxes for each polling place. The boxes shall be of material selected by the Chief Election Officer. They shall be smooth inside and out and shall have a hinged lid fastened securely by a good lock or locks. In the center o…

(a) At the opening of the polls for election, the district officials shall, in the presence of bystanders, publicly open the ballot boxes and expose them to all persons present, that it may be seen that they are empty. They shall then be closed and locked and on no account opened…

(a) Every person upon applying to vote shall sign his name in the poll book prepared for that purpose. This requirement may be waived by any district official if for reasons of illiteracy or blindness or other physical disability the qualified elector is unable to write. Every pe…

(a) No person shall look at or ask to see the contents of the ballot of any qualified elector, except as provided in section 6.0709, nor shall any person within the polling place attempt to influence a qualified elector in regard to whom or what he shall vote for. When a qualifie…

A qualified elector shall be allowed to remain in the voting booth for 5 minutes, and having voted the qualified elector shall at once emerge and leave the voting booth. If he refuses to leave when so requested by a majority of district officials after the lapse of 5 minutes, he …

(a) Any qualified elector who, by reason of illiteracy or blindness or other physical disability, is unable to mark his ballot, shall, if he so requests, receive the assistance of 2 district officials or of any qualified elector whom he may designate, in the marking thereof. Befo…

In districts using paper ballots or cards, if a qualified elector spoils a ballot or ballot card, he may obtain another upon returning the spoiled one. The ballot returned shall be canceled immediately, and the reasons for the cancellation endorsed thereon and signed by the distr…

Ballots shall be counted in accordance with this chapter. In districts using paper ballots or cards, a ballot shall be counted even though that ballot has less names voted for than can be elected. If a ballot has more names voted for than can be elected, that ballot shall not be …

Immediately after the close of the polls, the district officials shall proceed to count the ballots in the manner as designated by the Chief Election Officer. For each election, the Chief Election Officer shall designate either that the ballot boxes be sealed and forwarded to a c…

(a) If there are more ballots than the poll book calls for, this shall be an overage; if less, it shall be an underage. The election officials shall make a note of this fact on a form to be provided by the Chief Election Officer. After making this notation, the election officials…

(a) The final duty of the district officials in the operation of the district shall be to gather all records and supplies delivered to them and return them to the sending official. (b) The used ballots shall be kept secure and handled only in the presence of authorized persons in…

On receipt of certified tabulations from the election officials concerned, the Chief Election Officer shall compile, certify, and release the election results. The number of persons to be elected receiving the highest number of votes in any representative district shall be declar…

The Chief Election Officer shall deliver certificates of election to the persons elected as determined under section 6.0805. These certificates shall be delivered only after the expiration of the time for bringing an election contest. If there is an election contest, the certific…

In case of the failure of an election by reason of the equality of vote between 2 or more candidates, the tie shall be decided by lot, under the supervision of the Chief Election Officer. When an election is decided by lot, the candidates may agree in a signed statement to the us…

With respect to any election, any candidate or any 30 qualified electors of the representative district, in case of elections for representatives, and in territory-wide elections any 300 qualified electors may file a complaint in the High Court. The complaint shall set forth any …

(a) In general or special elections, the complaint shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of the High Court not later than 4:30 p.m. on the 7th calendar day following the general, special, or runoff election and shall be accompanied by a deposit of $25 for costs of court. The …

The government shall pay for all voting system capital equipment. This shall include, but not be limited to, voting machines, if any, ballots, stationery, equipment, and supplies. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1.

(a) All expenses, including expenses attributable to registration of qualified electors by the election officials for Territorial elections conducted in any district, shall be borne by the government and paid out of those appropriations as may be made by the Legislature for elect…

(a) Any qualified elector who will be unable to appear at his polling place during the hours of voting at any election because of absence from the Territory, or district in which he is registered may cause his vote to be cast by absentee ballot subject to this chapter. (b) Any qu…

(a) Any person entitled to vote under 6.1101(c) (1) may request an absentee ballot in writing from the Chief Election Officer. In addition, such person may transmit such request by mail, electronically, or by facsimile, and designate the preferred means of return transmission whe…

Immediately upon receipt of a request within the time limits specified in 6.1102, the Chief Election Officer shall examine the records to ascertain whether or not the qualified elector is lawfully entitled to vote as requested. As soon as official ballots are printed and availabl…

(a) The Chief Election Officer shall enclose the ballot for those persons entitled to vote under 6.1101(c)(1) in an unsealed reply envelope to be furnished by him and which shall be in the form prescribed by him. In addition, the Chief Election Officer shall prepare printed instr…

The reply envelope shall be: (1) mailed and must be received by the Chief Election Officer not later than 1:30 p.m. on election day; or (2) delivered other than by mail to the Chief Election Officer not later than 1:30 p.m. on election day. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1; 2002, PL 2…

(a) Each absentee ballot shall be placed in an absentee ballot container or containers. The container shall be securely sealed except for an opening sufficient to permit deposit of the reply envelopes and shall be sufficiently identify the elective office or issue that correspond…

(a) The Chief Election Officer shall establish an absentee polling place. The absentee polling place shall be open before election day to handle the absentee voters who are voting in person. The Chief Election Officer shall determine the number of officials needed. All absentee p…

(a) Upon receipt of the envelope marked “Absentee Ballot Enclosed” from persons voting under chapters 01 through 12 of this title, the Chief Election Officer or the election officials of the absentee polling place shall document its receipt and deposit it in the corresponding abs…

All reply envelopes containing absentee ballots received by the Chief Election Officer after the deadline for receipt stated in 6.1105 shall be kept unopened and disposed of under 6.0804. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1; 2002, PL 27-31.

Whenever, prior to the counting of absentee ballots, it is apparent to the Chief Election Officer or polling place officials that any qualified elector who has marked and forwarded an absentee ballot has died prior to the opening of the polls on election day, the ballot of the qu…

Except as otherwise provided, offenses against the election laws contained in this title are divided into two classes: “election frauds” and “misdemeanors”. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1.

Any person who, knowing that he is not entitled to register or to vote, registers or votes is guilty of perjury; and any person taking any oath in chapters 01 through 12 of this title prescribed or authorized to be administered and willfully making oath to any false statement of …

The following persons are considered guilty of an election fraud: (1) every person who, directly or indirectly, personally or through another, gives, procures, or lends, or agrees or offers to give, procure, or lend, or who endeavors to procure, any money or office or place of em…

A person found guilty of an election fraud shall be sentenced upon conviction as for a class A misdemeanor. In addition to the punishment, the person shall be disqualified from voting and from being elected to, holding or occupying any office, elective or appointive. If the perso…

The following persons are guilty of a class B misdemeanor, and upon conviction, sentenced accordingly: (1) any person who offers any bribe or makes any promise of gain, or with knowledge of the same permits any person to offer any bribe or make any promise of gain for his benefit…

Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under chapters 01 through 12 of this title shall be fined not more than $500, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both. History: 1977, PL 15-42 § 1.

A violation of this section is an infraction: (1) any person, business, or corporation who publishes, shows, broadcasts, or circulates political advertisements or literature without stating the name and address of the person or committee that paid for the advertisement or literat…

As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply: (a) “Advertisement” means: (1) any communication exclusive of bumper stickers or other sundry items paid for by or on behalf of a candidate which identifies a candidate directly or by implication or which advocates or supp…

There is established a Campaign Spending Commission consisting of 5 members, appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate. The term of the members is 4 years and members may be reappointed. Members serve without compensation. Vacancies from unexpired terms are …

(a) The Chief Election Officer’s principal duty is to regulate the election process, and under this chapter his duties are to: (1) develop and adopt reporting forms required by this chapter; (2) adopt and publish a manual for all candidates and committees, describing the requirem…

(a) Reports required to be filed under this chapter by a candidate or committee supporting a candidate with his consent shall be certified by the candidate. Reports required to be filed under this chapter by a party or committee which supports more than 1 candidate shall be certi…

Each candidate, committee, and party shall file an organizational report not later than 4:30 p.m. on the earliest of the following applicable days: (1) on or before the day of filing for nomination or election; (2) at least 45 days before the general, or special election; or (3) …

(a) The organizational report includes: (1) the name, address, office sought when known, and party affiliation of each candidate or individual whom the committee or party is supporting and the name and address of the committee or party; (2) the names and addresses of the campaign…