AS you probably know by now, we have decided to appeal the decision of the Guam Supreme Court on counting the votes from the 2006 gubernatorial election. We took our time in making this decision and we consulted many of you and several attorneys in the process. It was not a decision that we took lightly.
We are heartened by the outpouring of support our campaign generated in 2006. We are especially encouraged by the support that we subsequently received to pursue our cause in the courts. We want to make clear that we are simply not interested in prolonging a campaign for office and we understand that many people of good will may not support our decision.
But we feel strongly that our democratic processes in Guam must be adhered to and that the plain language of the Organic Act must apply in all elections as they have in the past. The Organic Act requires 50 percent plus one of all votes to elect a gubernatorial team. Failing that, a run-off election is called for.
In all of the elections that have been held in Guam since we have elected our governor and lt. governor, write-in votes (which may or not be legally counted) and over-votes (which may be legally challenged) have been always part of the number of votes from which a majority must be obtained to elect a gubernatorial team.
Even though the Guam Supreme Court has ruled on the matter, we can pursue this in the U.S. Supreme Court because the Guam Organic Act is a federal statute and because there is incomplete and contradictory guidance from previous federal court decisions on this very issue.
Our efforts are to clarify the rules that apply to us in the election of our chief executive team. We pursue this as a quest that will result in clarifying the rules that should have applied in the 2006 election and certainly for future elections. It is our contribution to the perfection of our democratic processes and adherence to the laws that apply in Guam.
We need your support. This is an endeavor that requires a positive handshake, a pat on the back and financial resources. Please feel free to call us (Robert at 7277715 and Frank at 7779721) or email us to share your ideas. We need your financial assistance today on behalf of our island democracy. Checks can be made out to the Committee to Elect Underwood-Aguon and mailed to Box. 3462 Hagatna GU 96932.
Si Yu’os ma’ase’, maraming salamat po, and thank you very much.

ROBERT UNDERWOOD and FRANK AGUON JR