Some of the CNMI's youngest voters share what matters to them this election

In the Northern Mariana Islands a record number of people registered to cast their vote in November.  Newly-installed leaders of the Associated Students of the Northern Marianas College took their oath of office. It’s a similar oath politicians take on Inauguration Day.

While they’re focused on the immediate issues impacting their campus, they tell us what happens off-campus, matters too. They’re registered to vote in November.

19-year-old Jenara Bai says the island’s native issues are top of mind, telling KUAM News, "I really think preserving our Indigenous culture is important only because the culture is dying. A lot of students they do not know the native Chamorro and Refaluwasch languages. If we put more power and effort into making culturally inclusive activities it will be beneficial for us all."

18-year-old Bonnie Gio Sagana shared hopes that more of his peers stay home and come home. She said, "As a student I believe that a lot of people are going off island to seek higher education or a better job, but I believe that starting here in the CNMI we have such a great college and we also have so much opportunities home so I believe we should start here and start smart."

Eloise Lopez, 24, agrees and says there needs to be more support for local workers. She said, "I would like to see more training. More training from the organizations that are much more active right now. For example, NMPASI is doing a great job of training employees and staff about mental health…and actually practicing about physical activities."

20-year old-Jefferson Cunanan tells KUAM that he wants to see more sustainable development on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. "It is wonderful that our island continues to develop. I do see that with the development it has also impacted our environment. Look at the casino for instance. It was built really high up but you know it is kind of abandoned now. So I really care about the preservation of our island's resources," he said.

These young voices will cast their vote in November as part of a historic number of registered voters in the CNMI -- more than 19,000.