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The Right to Vote on Guam
From the beginning of the Congress, a similar advisory board an appointed civilian governor and American governance of Guam to the governor, but one that would an elected unicameral legislature in 1898, CHamorus expressed be elected by the citizens of the that could now make laws. a strong desire to participate in island. On March 7, 1931, the first The people continued to the government of their island. In general election in the history of the press on to expand these rights. December 1901, a petition was sent island took place in order to fill these After numerous more petitions, to the US Congress expressing seats. However, it soon became the US Congress passed the happiness that Guam was now clear that the recommendations of Elective Governor Act in 1969, under the United States. However, this Congress were to be ignored allowing island residents to elect this expression was coupled with just as those of the previous their governor, and the Guam feelings of extreme dissatisfaction Congress. The denial of this most Congressional Representation Act with being under military rule as basic civil right lit a fire underneath in 1972, allowing one non-voting well. The first form of participation the CHamorus who longed to take delegate to serve in the House of in local government came in the part in their own civil governance. Representatives. Since then, the form of the Guam voting rights for Congress in 1917, the island have nearly two decades remained the after the US began same. Today, while administering we still maintain the island. Ths the right to elect Congress was an our local political advisory board with leaders, the people no legislative powers of Guam are not and members were counted in the vote appointed by the for the President of governor to give the United States recommendations to and the island’s the naval governor, only representation who ultimately had in the federal the power to ignore government Elected members of the 9th Guam Congress/ Courtesy of MARC them. continues to be a On December 4, 1930, US Naval Discontent grew to its boiling single non-voting delegate in the Gov. Willis Bradley and the Guam point when US Naval Gov. Charles House of Representatives. Congress created a Bill of Rights Pownall intervened in the actions As we enter into another for Guam modeled after the first Ten of the Guam Congress regarding a general election, it is imperative Amendments of the US Constitution. warrant for the arrest of a business that we remember the history This bill, however, was ultimately owner. This sobering reminder that brought us to where we are denied by the US Department of the of their lack of power prompted today. The act of voting in the Navy. The complications associated members of the 9th Guam Congress local election not only ensures with the simple passing of this to walk out of session in protest. the election of local leaders Bill of Rights made apparent the This walkout gained national media who advocate for our island’s numerous privileges that were not attention and served as the catalyst communities, but also serves afforded to the CHamoru people. for the passing of the Organic Act as a way for us to honor and Among these was the right to vote of Guam in 1950, an act that finally acknowledge both the tragedies for the individuals who would create, addressed this severe lack of local endured and triumphs achieved in interpret, and execute the laws that representation. With this act, the this continuous desire for greater governed them. In response, Gov. people of Guam were finally given self-governance. Bradley created the second Guam three branches of government with
