Legislation introduced protecting Northern Marianas voters and elections

Voters in the Marianas deserve to be protected from intimidation, threats, or coercion, when they cast their ballots in elections.  That’s why I have introduced H.R. 3268, which makes all federal election law fully applicable in our islands.  Among the specific provisions, the bill bars anyone employed in a federal or Commonwealth government office from using their official authority to interfere with the nomination or election process.  The bill bars aliens from voting and prohibits any false representations when registering or voting.  Penalties range up to $10,000 or five years in prison.  So far, H.R. 3268 has 18 cosponsors, including all of the non-state area representatives.  It is my hope that Congress will quickly take action in extending to the Marianas all of the voting rights protections afforded to the rest of the United States.