Judge dismisses Branch lawsuit

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Superior Court Judge Arthur Barcinas has dismissed the civil lawsuit filed by Carlo Branch following the 2010 election. Branch filed the litigation in January 2011, asking the court to determine that the Guam Election Commission failed to follow the Open Government Law when it provided public notices for a number of commission meetings that were held prior to and after the 2010 general election.

Branch also alleged the Commission made no arrangements for individuals with disabilities. According to the decision, Judge Barcinas contends Branch did not provide the court with any additional factual evidence to substantiate the allegations. The judge also determined that the case was actually a lawsuit challenging the 2010 election results and as such failed to meet the deadline in which one could seek statutory remedies to bring an election challenge.