By Ron Rocky Coloma
The upcoming Guam elections are witnessing an unexpectedly low number of candidates, with both major parties fielding less than 15 candidates each. This phenomenon has sparked discussions about the political engagement of the people of Guam and the potential reasons behind this reduced candidate turnout.
The Aug. 3 primary and the Nov. 5 general elections are critical moments for Guam’s political landscape.
The Guam legislature consists of 15 seats, and the turnout of candidates has been a measure of political enthusiasm and civic engagement. Neither party has completed the 15-spot slate. The Democratic Party of Guam has 11 candidates—eight are incumbents—which is an aberration of sorts given that this party has historically been a crowded lot. The Republican camp has 14 candidates—six are sitting senators.
The thin crowd of candidates this year raises questions about the underlying factors contributing to this trend. “With candidate participation, it is a midterm election, which generally decreases the interest in this election cycle,” said Tony Babauta, chair of the Democratic Party of Guam.
“It’s really up to others who are running for office, and others who are helping others run for office, to try to generate, not only newly registered voters, but for those voters who are already registered to get that vote out," he added.
“It’s interesting in our cycle,” said Shawn Gumataotao, chair of the Republican Party of Guam and a senatorial candidate. “One of our folks in this cycle died in the middle of the process to collect signatures. We’re focusing on early voting right now in terms of making sure that folks get out on July 15, for the early voting at the Westin.”
One major factor could be political disillusionment among the populace. Guam residents have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the current political climate. Issues such as government corruption, inefficiency and economic disparities have contributed to a growing sense of disenchantment. The perception that elected officials are not adequately addressing these concerns may deter potential candidates from participating in the electoral process.
“People on Guam are very engaged in what’s happening in their community, and I think for some, it’s trying to figure out how best to express your satisfaction or your dissatisfaction, and engaging in that process, apart from talking to friends and families and being on social media,” said Babauta, a principal at Babauta International Group. “But how do you exact change if there’s something that you’re dissatisfied with, or if there's something that you’re satisfied with?
Before starting a private business, Babauta served as the governor’s chief of staff from 2019 to 2020. Prior to that, he served as assistant secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas under President Barack Obama.
“How do you affirm your thoughts about what's going on in your community and the decisions that your leaders have been making for the island?” Babauta added. “Go register to vote. But even before the election days, we always try to encourage everyone to read up about those who are asking for your vote. Understand their background, know what they’re saying, what their positions are.”
“One is to ensure that we listen to the issues or the concerns that face that respective group,” Gumataotao said. “Secondly, we are not going to give up in trying to encourage them to continue to vote.”
Gumataotao said the voting process has been made easier and integrated into regular activities, such as getting a driver’s license. However, he said some residents whom he had spoken to were unaware of the integrated system.
“They’d say ‘Oh, my gosh! I actually did register to vote.’ But it’s just trying to listen to their concerns,” Gumataotao said. “Encouraging is the best that we can do as a party for the most part.”
Gumataotao served as deputy chief of staff and director of communications for former Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho.
Moreover, the stringent requirements and high costs associated with running for office can be barriers for many potential candidates. According to the Guam Election Commission, a senatorial candidate must gather at least 250 signatures to qualify for the ballot, and the campaign finance regulations can be daunting for newcomers without substantial financial backing.
Political parties themselves are also grappling with these challenges. The Democratic and Republican parties in Guam have acknowledged the difficulties in fielding a full slate of candidates. Party officials have cited a variety of reasons, including the personal and financial toll of campaigning, as well as the perceived ineffectiveness of the legislature in bringing about meaningful change.
Additionally, the intense scrutiny and high expectations placed on public officials can discourage individuals from stepping into the political arena. The legacy of corruption scandals and the demanding nature of legislative duties contribute to a political environment that is both challenging and unattractive to many qualified individuals.
“At least from the circle that I run around in, in which the demographic is between 35 and 65, people that I talk to, whether I know them or not, are very aware of the issues and the challenges that the island faces,” Babauta said. “What I try to do is try to motivate them into action.”
Babauta acknowledged the importance of having a conversation and understanding different perspectives. He expressed that while he may not entirely disagree and might even completely agree with certain points, the focus should be on making meaningful changes. He emphasized the importance of electing individuals capable of solving problems and addressing concerns. To achieve this, he encouraged everyone to go out and register to vote.
Gumataotao believes that while everyone is engaged in politics at different levels, social media has allowed people to go beyond the confines of traditional mass media. He indicated that mass media ensures stories are objective and balanced, but the challenge lies in translating this into social media to effectively reach networks.
“I teach at the University of Guam, and when we asked students in my communications classes where they get their news and information, most of it comes from social media,” Gumataotao said. “They do not go to the traditional hardback magazine, the newspaper, watch the newscasts anymore or listen to talk radio nearly as much.
“There’s always that contact with people and how it affects us every day,” he added. “So, how do you bring it together and encourage them to remember that their vote -- when they go to the ballot booth and they check a name or group of names or party -- becomes very important?"
Moreover, increasing civic education and engagement at the grassroots level can help cultivate a new generation of leaders committed to public service. Initiatives that involve young people in the political process, such as student government programs and internships with elected officials, can also help bridge the gap between the electorate and their representatives.
“But then even in the interim, remaining active, remaining engaged with those leaders, when you see them in the store, at the movie theater or in the community or at a party or something like that, go up and talk to them, tell them that they're doing a good job, or tell them that they're doing a poor job,” Babauta said. “That’s the power of being a constituent and being able to talk to your elected leaders, which is a benefit in a small community like Guam."
Babauta worked in Washington, D.C. for 15 years and knew that members of Congress would return to their districts. Even when he was living in Northern Virginia, he never encountered his representative at the grocery store, gas station or social gatherings. On Guam, such encounters are run-of-the-mill.
“It's more common to run into them, and like I said, tell them that they’re doing a good job. And if they’re doing something that you disagree with, then speak to them about it and have that conversation and let them understand a different point of view,” Babauta said. “And that’s how you remain a constituent. That’s how you remain engaged with your leaders, and you do that at every level.”
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