The head of the Guam Election Commission on Thursday morning appeared before the legislative Committee on Appropriations to request supplemental funds for the fiscal 2016 budget. The GEC, according to the governor’s budget request submitted to the Legislature in January, is seeking more than $1.56 million for the next fiscal year, which begins in October. The agency also needs an additional $610,531 for other expenses. GEC Executive Director Maria Pangelinan told lawmakers funds from the initial appropriation will be used to pay for costs associated with the Primary Election in August 2016. The commission plans to purchase 70 voting booths and 116 privacy curtains.
For the 2014 elections, Pangelinan noted, the commission procured 46 voting booths, but they didn’t come with curtains. Pangelinan said the intent of purchasing the extra booths is to cut down on wait times for voters during elections.
“Additional voting booths will minimize wait times in the 58 precincts at the 21 polling sites,” she said.
Full Article: GEC seeks more funds for online registration, debts.