ABSENTEE BALLOT FORM for November 14, 2023, GENERAL ELECTION
Click below to download the absentee ballot request. Instructions are on the form.
Heinrick Stevenson
Election Commissioner
Election Commission of Pohnpei
The Pohnpei State Election Commission Office was established under an act of the Pohnpei Legislature in 1990. The Election Commission consists of one Election Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Legislature, an Administrative Officer, and a Clerk Typist.
Annual report submitted to Governor Oliver for his state of the State Message:
The Election Commissioner serves a 4-year term concurrent with the appointing Governor.
The Election Commissioner serves a 4-year term concurrent with the appointing Governor
- Supervise and administer voter registration for the State of Pohnpei
- Publish the Pohnpei General State Register
- Supervise and conduct elections for the State of Pohnpei
Impartiality of the Election Commissioner
Section 12 of The General Election Law 1990 states:
The Election Commissioner shall remain free from, and independent of all undue influence and coercion that may hinder or impair the impartial and fair exercise of the duties and functions prescribed in this act…
Timing of Elections
General elections for the position of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Legislature are held simultaneously every four years, on the second Tuesday in November.
Election System Used
The election system used to elect representatives in Pohnpei is the First Past The Post method.
Runoff Elections
If no Governor-Lieutenant Governor ticket receives a majority of votes cast, a runoff election is held between the two tickets receiving the greatest number of votes in the general election. The runoff election is held 28 days after the date of the election. In a runoff election, write-in ballots are not valid.
If two or more candidates receive an equal number of votes for an available seat in the legislature, then a run-off election is held between them.
FILLING VACANCIES
Office of the Governor
If the office of the Governor becomes vacant the Lieutenant Governor takes office as the Governor.
Lieutenant Governor
If there is a vacancy in the office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor will call a special election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The election will be held between 60 and 120 days after the Governor calls for the election. However, if the vacancy occurs within one year of the next general election, the Governor will fill the vacancy with an appointment, with the advice and consent of the Legislature.
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Should vacancies occur in the office of Governor and Lieutenant Governor concurrently, the Speaker acts as the Governor and calls a special election to fill the vacancies. The election will be held between 60 and 120 days after the Governor calls for the election. However, if the vacancies occur within one year of the next general election, the Speaker will take office as the Governor for the remainder of the term and fill the Lieutenant Governor position by appointment with the advice and consent of the Legislature.
Legislators
Vacancies are filled by a special election. The special election is held between 60 and 120 days after the Governor calls the election.
Relate to the contact info below for more information and questions.
Tel: (691)320-3469
email: pohnpeielection@yahoo.com
