Election Law Override Allows Extra Days For Special Polling Places Overseas

February 20, 2007

Palikir, POHNPEI - The override became Public Law 14-98 on January 11 2007, during the Sixth Regular Session of the 14th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia

Among other matters, the new law eliminated the requirement under the Revised Election Code that "all absentee ballot request forms must be individually mailed or delivered in person to the national election commissioner by the Registered Voter making the request."

As a result, the National Elections Office adopted emergency amendments to the to the National Elections Regulations, among which noted that after January 11, the office would begin "accepting bulk delivery of absentee ballot request forms for all types of absentee voting (i.e., VAAPP, Special Polling Place, Absentee by Mail, Traveler and Mobile Polling Place)."

In compliance with PL.14-98, the National Elections Office has also instated various emergency procedures to meet the requirements of the new law. Among the newly instated procedures is the requirement that any absentee request forms received in bulk prior to January 11, 2007 must be rejected.