by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - After five weeks of handcounting ballots from the 2010 general election, the Guam Election Commission presented its findings to commissioners that had some speculating a change in the results, not in the gubernatorial race, but for the Legislature.

It took a little over one month to handcount five precincts from the 2010 general election and during its GEC meeting Wednesday night, executive director Maria Pangelinan reported the results. "The difference of the gubernatorial race was minimal," she said.

Of the hand count summary of the five precincts, results showed Gutierrez-Aguon receiving five less votes from the certified results, whereas Calvo-Tenorio received two additional votes.

"Between a handcount and machine tabulation there are bound to be differences," Pangelinan said.

And while the legislative race also saw minimal changes with some candidates receiving about a handful or more extra votes, commissioners noted it could have affected the number 15 spot for senator. "It was pointed that Ray Haddock, who was number 16, had gained nine votes so discussion ensued among commissioners and they were saying that if he was number 16 and if the trend continues and he gains nine votes across all the precincts, he could have won," she said.

Independent member Patrick Civille implied the trend saying if it continued Haddock could have collected 90 more votes and changing the race. The 2010 certified results showed haddock receiving 15,960 votes or 78 less votes than Senator Sam Mabini, who received 16,038 votes and finished 15th. So in essence, if all 58 precincts were to be counted, Civille suggested Haddock could have landed in the 15th spot. However it should also be noted that Senator Mabini received seven additional votes from the handcount.

Election reform chair Senator Rory Respicio says there will always be that cloud over what could have happened. "And if they really want to know the truth then the board has the authority right now to handcount every single precinct and it's on their conscious to decide whether or not they should do that," he said.

He adds the point of the audit was not to change any outcomes but to see if the outcomes would have been different. Ultimately, he says without knowing the number of ballot stock, they may never know the true results of 2010. "How many ballots were printed, how many ballots were used, and how many ballots were spoiled? And those should equal out," he said.

Pangelinan says she's putting together the invoices for the ballot production inventory noting that while they may figure out the ending inventory, she's unable to find any documents for the beginning inventory for 2010 general election ballots. Both hope the audit may help improve the election process before the 2014 election and ensure voter confidence. Pangelinan will next prepare the final report for commissioners and publish it online.