New legislation prevents spoiled ballots

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Senators Chris Duenas and Dennis Rodriguez, Jr. have introduced legislation that changes ballot for the primary election. Their Bill 54 would mandate the separation of local and federal elective offices.

Senator Rodriguez says the measure aims to prevent spoiled ballots, noting, "It makes it clear with this legislation that each political party be on one side and the other to make it clear and to make it user-friendly or voter-friendly."

The bill would also mandate that the Guam Election Commission adopt the same policy and procedures for local absentee ballots to mirror the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.  The Justice Department took the GEC to court in the last election for failing to comply with the new mandate to send out federal ballots on time.