by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - While lawmakers consider the next steps for Bill 215, the Guam Election Commission reports there's still time for anyone to submit proposals by way of initiatives or referendums. Executive director Maria Pangelinan says both referendums and initiatives need to be certified 90 days prior to the general election. She adds initiatives require 10-percent of signatures of all registered voters at the time of submittal. For referendums, 20-percent of signatures are required of those who voted in the last general election for governor. Other requirements include engaging in 10 village meetings, paying a $200 filing fee and provide a financial impact statement on the costs for implementation. Pangelinan says no initiative or referendum has been submitted to the GEC. It was exactly one year ago when island resident Ryan Calvo told KUAM he was planning to submit an initiative that aimed to reduce senators in the Guam Legislature from 15 to 7.