Guam is the only U.S. possession that votes for president in the general election. Since Guam has no electoral votes, the presidential vote might be termed a “beauty contest”. This year, the Guam presidential ballot only lists Barack Obama, John McCain, and Bob Barr. In 2004, there were four choices. The same three parties, and independent Ralph Nader, appeared in 2004.
Since Guam is on the early side of the International Date Line, the Guam votes are known by Tuesday morning in the United States proper. However, even though Guam has been holding a presidential vote in November ever since 1980, the U.S. news media never report the vote on Tuesday, election day, even though they could report it.
Word for word, a repeat of a months old blog.
Just proves that some of us were not ‘too poor to pay attention’.
Also proves that ‘Merica is an empire not a nation.
Guam’s vote doesn’t count because it is not one of the States , the same with the US Virgin Islands and before American Samoa. Washington DC residents have the same rules. States vote a for president by the sum total of popular votes cast for a candidate which then counts towards that states electoral vote. Example when a candidate wins a state he or she gets that states electoral votes in total.
It is winner take all. The USA does not elect its president by directly but through a electoral college made up of states. (I think puerto rico and Washington DC are there now too but I could be wrong.)
Guam and other territories do have representation in party conventions and do vote to select the partys nominee for president.
Guam residents or those Americans abroad or living in territories, may if they have residency in any US state cast a vote in the federal elections. Its a very simple process. They can also opt for federal electoral ballot but not choose a current state. In that case the vote is counted as part of the last state and county of residence of the voter. However, some proof of residency is required for that.
Many choose not use these options.
Because of local state or federal income tax concerns which give large deductions for non-resident American citizens or for other reasons.
Also because then as ‘mainland USA’ residents they would not technically be able to vote on local issues and candidates in their local elections.
Like Guam is having on November 4th – Guam Democrats overwhelmingly gave their 8 delegate votes to Barrack Obama in the democratic primaries.
If US the US election law is reformed to shift towards a popular vote across all state lines (something long sought) then all Citizens would be able to vote for thier candidate regardless of State electoral college limitations.
Both parties openly propose this after each election.
But quietly admit it would hurt the party system because then anyone could run and have a fair chance of winning a popular vote. Plus each party would lose millions in donations for local state elections as candidates might only concentrate on big populous states like California, Florida, New York, and, Texas.
Hence the electoral college system is unlikely to change anytime soon.
The easy solution would be for places like Guam to added for the purpose of suffrage to electoral votes of say Hawaii or even Alaska perhaps. And the virgin islands to Florida votes then perhaps this inequal situation could be resolved. Also then the people of these territories could have a ‘real’ Congressperson and not a congressional delegate who needs a sponsor to speak for these Citizens. Perhaps oneday… shame it taking so long.
The Constitution Party, which has a payed person to run it campaign could’t write a letter before Septewmber 1, 2008 to get on the ballot. They did the same in 2004 & 2008 How sad.
So, does this mean that the 100% of the voters being able to vote for McCain and Obama (previous entry) is a little bit off? Surely, these are bona fide voters.
Of course, the real vote is that of the electors.
How did the Libertarian Party get on the ballot in Guam for this election? Did they have to petition there or what?
It just takes a letter.
Mikeinmanila: The District of Columbia has had electoral votes for President since the 1964 election, after the 23rd Amendment was ratified in 1961. By contrast, Puerto Rico has no electoral votes.
Since the 23rd Amendment, the District of Columbia has always had 3 electoral votes. The Democratic presidential candidate has always won in D.C. during this period and received all 3 electoral votes (except in 2000, when one of the Democratic electors abstained from the Electoral College vote as a protest).