Guam - The Guam Election Commission is faced with a major dilemma, as they are unsure of how to place Guam Delegate candidate Jonathan Diaz on the primary election ballot. Diaz is running as an independent. He needs at least ten percent of the votes in the primary in order to move on to the general election where he will go up against Republican candidate Frank Blas Jr., and whoever wins the Democrat race between incumbent Madeleine Bordallo and newcomer Karlo Dizon. But according
to GEC executive director Maria Pangelinan, Public Law 31-59 relative to the primary election ballot has left the GEC's hands tide. The GEC is mandated to have GOP candidates on one side of the ballot, while Democrat candidates on the opposite side. This leaves the independent candidate in limbo; Pangelinan says there is currently no option to put the candidate on the ballot.

The GEC during its Saturday board meeting agreed to send a letter to Diaz immediately informing him of the problem. A copy of the letter was also sent to Speaker Judith Won Pat. Won Pat tells KUAM she will have to first hear from the GEC what they want the legislature to do about the issue. She adds the normal solution would be to call for an emergency session.

The commission is working with a tight deadline, as they must send out all final primary election ballots under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) by July 18, 45 days before the primary. Pangelinan says there are 2,400 registered UOCAVA voters. The GEC so far received more than 150 applications for absentee ballots from former Guam residents and deployed Guam service members. She adds the GEC will also file a stipulation with the District court this week
requesting that they continue to send out absentee ballots electronically. Pangelinan says local law prohibits the GEC from doing that.

Following the meeting candidates or a representative pulled numbers to find out where they will be placed on the ballot. The GEC cancelled seven mayoral races from the primary in the villages of Agana Heights, Agat, Inarajan, Merizo, Mangilao, Piti and the vice mayor candidate for Yigo, due to a lack of contest from each party. Pangelinan says candidates running unopposed such as the Dededo, Barrigada, Agana, Sinajana, and Santa Rita mayor will become certified following the primary election.

Primary election lineup
Guam Delegate: Democrat
1)      Incumbent Madeleine Bordallo
2)      Karlo Dizon
32nd Guam Legislature: Democrats
1)      Incumbent Judith Won Pat
2)      Incumbent Vicente Pangelinan
3)      Incumbent Judith Guthertz
4)      Leahbeth Nahalowaa
5)      Incumbent Thomas Ada
6)      Gary Gumataotao
7)      Incumbent Dennis Rodriguez Jr.
8)      Frank Aguon Jr.
9)      Joe San Agustin
10) Incumbent Adolpho Palacios
11) Incumbent Benjamin Cruz
12) Benedicto Toves
13) Michael San Nicolas
14) Incumbent Rory Respicio
15) Incumbent Tina Muna Barnes
Republican:
1)      Antonio Aquiningoc
2)      Javier Atalig Jr.
3)      Jose Servino
4)      Elmore Cotton
5)      Incumbent Sam Mabini
6)      Thomas Morrison
7)      Incumbent Mana Silva Taijeron
8)      Michelle Taitano
9)      Brant McCreadie
10) Incumbent Aline Yamashita
11) Incumbent Tony Ada
12) Adonis Menidola
13) Incumbent Christopher Duenas
14) William Sarmiento
15) Michael Limtiaco
16) Roland Blas

Agat Vice Mayor:
1)      Agustin Quintanilla
2)      Joseph Salas
Asan/Maina Mayor:
1)      Vicente Babauta (D)
2)      Rosemarie Aquiningoc (D)
1)      Joanne Blas (R)
2)      Vicente San Nicolas (R)
Barrigada Vice Mayor:
1)      Jesse Perez
2)      Mae Ignacio
Ordot/Chalan Pago Mayor:
1)      Jessie Gogue
2)      David Quintanilla
Mongmong/Toto/Maite Mayor:
1)      Tito Castro
2)      Antonio Cruz
3)      Andrew Villagomez
Sinajana Vice Mayor:
1)      Manuel Duenas
2)      Cynthia Eclavea
3)      Rudy Iriarte
Talofofo Mayor:
1)      Goring Duenas
2)      Vicente Taitague
Tamuning Mayor:
1)      Francisco Blas
2)      Louise Rivera
Tamuning Vice Mayor:
1)      Rudolpho "Rudy" Borja
2)      Kenneth Santos
Umatac Mayor:
1)      Johnny Quinata
2)      Gilbert Aguon
3)      Dean Sanchez
Yigo Mayor:
1)      Bob Lizama
2)      Joseph Taitano
Yona Mayor:
1)      Jose Terlaje (D)
2)      Josefa Rosario (D)
1)      Ken Joe Ada
2)      Anthony Ooka

The GEC recessed today's meeting until the commission chairperson calls its next meeting. While the GEC did not discuss the initiative to legalize for profit bingo at the former Guam Greyhound park, Pangelinan says the GEC verified 1,100 of the more than 5,000 signatures submitted by the Guam Japan Friendship Village. The proponents only need the commission to verify 4,713 signatures before the initiative can be placed on the general election ballot.