GEC grapples with Decision 2012 dilemma
The Guam Election Commission appears to be cutting it close as it not only has less than two months until the Decision 2012 Primary Election, but problems have already surfaced relative to the ballot placement of independent candidates - namely in the congressional race.
By KUAM NewsGuam - The Guam Election Commission appears to be cutting it close as it not only has less than two months until the Decision 2012 Primary Election, but problems have already surfaced relative to the ballot placement of independent candidates - namely in the congressional race. During its meeting last Saturday, the GEC discovered it was faced with a major dilemma as how to place congressional independent candidate Jonathan Diaz on the primary election ballot.
According to executive director Maria Pangelinan, public law has left the GEC's hands tide as it mandates the agency to have Republican candidates on one side of the ballot while Democratic candidates on the opposite side, leaving those candidates declared as being Independent in limbo. However, according to Senator Chris Duenas, this whole issue could have been prevented as he not only tried to introduce an amendment addressing the issue in the election reform bill but also a stand alone bill which both failed to passed.
"As a matter of fact," the senator told KUAM News, "we were debating this measure as we tried to fold it into Bill 413, the most controversial election reform bill. So we've been talking about this issue for more than six months."
Duenas is currently in San Francisco, but tells KUAM News over the phone that he was confused as to why Bill 404 failed to garner support from the majority in the Guam Legislature. Bill 404 would have required independent candidates running for the congressional race to submit a nominating petition of no less than 3% of signatures of registered voters to be placed on the General Election ballot, thereby not having to participate in a party primary.
"I really am confused, personally," he admitted. "I just really think it really is the democratic process to allow everybody to participate in an election."
Over the weekend, the GEC sent a letter to Diaz informing him of the problem along with Speaker Judi Won Pat. After meeting this morning in caucus, the speaker called for special session to address the issue. For the time being, the GEC is working with a tight deadline as they must also send out all final Primary Election ballots under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act by July 18 (45 days before the primary).
The GEC meanwhile also canceled seven mayoral races from the primary in the villages in Agana Heights, Agat, Inarajan, Merizo, Mangilao, and Piti; and the vice mayor candidate for Yigo due to a lack of contest from each party. Mayoral candidates running unopposed in the villages of Dededo, Barrigada, Hagatna, Sinajana and Santa Rita will become certified following the primary election.