Guam - The Guam Election Commission went before the Guam Legislature this morning requesting for funding to purchase new tabulation machines along with ballot programming and ballot stock. Bill 334 would make the appropriation for over $184,000. Executive director Maria Pangelinan says the request is lower than was initial proposal.


"I have to say the commissioners were very diligent and we explored all the possibilities, they grilled me on what's out there and they grilled me on the costs and making sure we met all our mandates and of course UOCAVA mandates so our initial request to the legislature was $450,000," she explained.


The GEC further requested for an additional $375,000 for prior year obligations for the use of the University of Guam Fieldhouse from the last election in 2012 along with advance payment for the 2014 elections. The other prior year obligations include payment for services to public works, the Guam Police Department and the UOG Computer Center along with commission stipends and invoices for legal services dating back to 2005.