In response to the problems during the primary and general elections,
Bob today introduced Bill
383, the Guam Election Reform Act of 2007.
Bill 383 requires the Administrator of Elections with the
assistance of the Bureau of Elections’ attorney to conduct
a complete review and repromulgation of election rules and
regulations and a complete review of election laws with a
report to the Governor and Legislature on June 30, 2007 .
The bill also restructures the election apparatus making the
operational aspect of elections the responsibility of the
Administrator of Elections.
Bill 383 creates the Administrator of Elections, a classified
employee of the Government of Guam, who shall have direct
day-to-day authority and responsibility over the election
process and be in charge of the Bureau of Elections. The Administrator
of Elections may be removed for cause.
Bill 383 replaces Guam Election Commission with the Board
of Canvass and Appeals. The make up of the boards will be
similar. Unlike the Guam Election Commission the Board of
Canvass and Appeals will not take part in the day-to-day or
the day-of operations of the elections process. The Board
of Canvass and Appeals will hear appeals, promulgate rules
and certify elections and other matters.
Bill 383 also creates the Bureau of Elections, which is the
successor office to the Election Commission bureaucracy and
takes over the operational and clerical responsibilities for
elections and accedes to including: the responsibilities,
pending proceedings, books, files, records, documents, fixtures,
furniture, office equipment, etc. of the Election Commission.
The Bureau of Elections responsibility is to oversee the election
process in the most accountable and transparent way.
Bob’s legislation also provides the Administrator of
Elections, in cooperation with the Director Administration,
the ability to designate such subordinate officers and employees
as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the Bureau
of Elections and transfer employees to and from the Bureau
in order to tailor the Bureau’s workforce to the peak
demands and slack times that occur during the election cycle.
The bill also provides that all details relating to the decisions
of Board, the promulgation of rules and regulations governing
the Bureau of Elections, the Administrator of Elections and
the Board of Canvass and Appeals, and the data, reports, and
forms administered by the Administrator of Elections shall
be posted on the Bureau of Elections’ official government
website.
Bob also today introduced Bill
384 which eliminates the posting of political campaign
signs on government right-of-ways; and Bill
385 which allows the erection of political signs on private
property. |