GEC to answer summons for decolonization suit

by Nick Delgado

Guam - As lawmakers move forward to enhance the registration process for the Guam Decolonization Registry, the Guam Election Commission meanwhile is trying to address a lawsuit filed last month alleging racial discrimination for the upcoming plebiscite.

The agency tells KUAM News that commissioners met for the first time today since the lawsuit was filed by resident Arnold Davis after he was not allowed to register for the plebiscite because he didn't meet the definition of a native inhabitant of Guam.

She hopes commissioners will be able to answer the summons brought forth by the lawsuit along with addressing any other issues with the Decolonization Registry. "What we do here at the Guam Election Commission, we take the laws and we follow the laws so we're not the ones that make the laws and we do prescribe to knowing that the laws that have been made and we're working on it and we continue to populate the decolonization registry," she said.

She adds as the GEC continues to work on the Decolonization Registry, the lawsuit has actually increased the number of inquiries from residents if they are eligible to register. Public testimony for Bill 361, which enlists the assistance of the three branches of government and island mayors is set for Wednesday at 8:30 in the morning.