In the event of a vacancy that occurs less than two years before the end of the Senator's term, the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands appoints the runner-up of the most recent election. Should that individual decline, the next highest vote getting, unsuccessful candidate become the prospective appointee. Should all the previous candidate's decline, the Governor would then choose an eligible citizen for consideration.[2] In the event a vacancy occurs more than two years before the next scheduled election, a special election is held.[3]
Senators of the 23rd Commonwealth Legislature
In the 2022 general election, a coalition of Democrats and Independents won a majority of seats in the Northern Mariana Islands Senate.[4] When the 23rd Commonwealth Legislature convened on January 9, 2023, it elected Edith DeLeon Guerrero its President, Donald M. Manglona its Vice President, and Corina Magofna its floor leader.[5]
In the November 2007 elections, the three senators up for re-election were all re-elected to another four-year term in the 16th and 17th Senate. The Covenant Party, which lost control of the House, entered into coalition with the Democrats and a lone Independent over the Senate's leadership and voting agenda. The CNMI Senate was controlled in 2016 by a Republican majority under Senate President Francisco Borja.[10]
^Borja, Francisco M. (President of the Senate) (February 10, 2016). "Appointment of Paul A. Manglona"(PDF). Senate Journal. 17 (25). Northern Mariana Islands Senate: 4–11. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
^Borja, Francisco M. (President of the Senate) (February 10, 2016). "Appointment of Paul A. Manglona"(PDF). Senate Journal. 17 (25). Northern Mariana Islands Senate: 4–11. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
^Camacho, Joel (Master of Ceremony) (January 12, 2015). "Call of Roll by Election District"(PDF). Senate Journal. 19 (1). Northern Mariana Islands Senate. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
^Muna, Linda B. (Mistress of Ceremony) (January 11, 2010). "Presentation of Members"(PDF). Senate Journal. 17 (1). Northern Mariana Islands Senate. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
