Candidates and supporters of four political parties - St. Maarten Development Movement (SDM), St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), People's Progressive Alliance (PPA) and United Democrats - queued up outside the old Civil Registry Building on Pond Island this morning to endorse their preferred party's slate.
Each party needs 142 signatures from registered voters to make it to the Ballot for the February 26 snap parliamentary elections. This step is required for all parties without seats in the current Parliament. Although the United Democrats has eight Members of Parliament on its slate, all these MPs were elected on different slates in the 2016 snap elections. The endorsement started about 9:15am and not at 9:00am due to flooding in the hurricane-damaged building. Lists can be endorsed until 4:00pm. A valid ID card or passport is needed. Only persons with Dutch nationality can endorse a list and vote in the elections.
