Reports from the Northern Marianas say the incumbent Governor Benigno Fitial leads his opponent by 501 votes a run off election.
Benigno Fitial has garnered 6,313 votes while his opponent Republican Heinz Hofschneider received 5,812.
Over 1,200 absentee ballots were sent out and will be counted on December the 7th.
The paper, the Marianas Variety, says not all of these ballots are expected to be returned, which will make it tougher for Mr Hofschneider to overcome Mr Fitial's lead.
In the first round of votes two weeks ago neither of the two candidates secured a majority forcing yesterday's run off election
