2005 Northern Mariana Islands general election

The referendum on the Constitutional Convention was called in order to comply with Chapter XVIII, article 2 of the constitution, which required a referendum to be held at least every ten years on convening such a convention.[1] A referendum had been due in 2003 as the last referendum had been in 1993, but the Legislature had failed to organise it.[1]

15,118 people registered with the Election Commission to vote.[2]

Four candidates ran for governor, each with a running mate:

• Benigno Fitial of the Covenant Party, sitting Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives and 2001 gubernatorial candidate.[3]
  • Timothy P. Villagomez, sitting Northern Mariana Islands Representative and Vice Speaker of the House at the time of the election.[3]
• Froilan C. Tenorio of the Democratic Party, former Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands from 1994 until 1998.[3]
  • Antonio Santos, educator and teacher.[3]
• Heinz Hofschneider, an independent, a sitting member of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives and former Speaker until 2003.[3] Hofschneider is a Republican, but ran as an independent in this election.[3]
  • David Apatang, sitting Northern Mariana Islands Representative.[3]
• Juan N. Babauta of the Republican Party, incumbent Governor elected in 2001.[3]
  • Diego T. Benavente, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands elected in 2001.[3]

• Election results Saipan Tribune