The incumbent governor in the Northern Marianas, Eloy Inos, is almost certain to win his run off election against Heinz Hofschneider.
After the run off vote on Friday Mr Inos has a commanding lead of 1,599 votes.
Our correspondent reports an estimated 2,300 absentee votes are to be counted on December the 5th and for Mr Hofschneider to win he would have to take 87 percent of those.
Photo: CNMI Governor's Office
Mr Inos took all bar three villages on Saipan and dominated on Tinian and Rota.