http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061104/NEWS01/61104005Use of electronic voting machines suspended
2:20 p.m., Nov. 4 — Electronic voting machines will not be used in Tuesday's General Election after the governor today into law a measure suspending the use of the machines.
Bill 355, authored by Democratic Sen. Rory Respicio, temporarily suspends the use of electronic voting machines until certain conditions are met by the Guam Election Commission.
“Electronic voting machines have been the object of criticism and concern not only here on Guam, but throughout the nation as well,” Gov. Felix Camacho said. “The issues and lawsuits that have been raised as a result of our most recent Primary Election have demonstrated that until proper precautionary measures are in place to protect our voters, we cannot rely on the accuracy of these machines.”
The suspension can only be lifted with the certification of proper training for Election Commission employees, the establishment of an island-wide education program to inform voters in conjunction with testing procedures to determine the program’s effectiveness and integrity testing conducted through an independent organization, according to a release from the governor's office. Once these measures have been established, the Election Commission will submit an analysis and review to the Legislature for repeal.
“The right to vote for our elected official is a basic fundamental right that must be upheld to the highest standards,” Camacho said. “We must ensure that the integrity of our election system is not compromised in any way.”