Guam residents speak out on concerns at early voting

BY ALTHEA ENGMAN
Journal Staff

Early voting for the Aug. 3 primary election began on July 15 at the Westin Resort Guam, with numerous island residents participating.

Voters who spoke with the Journal voiced their concerns and shared current issues on their minds, as well as some thoughts on exercising their right to vote, and early voting.

From left: Josiah Taitingfong, Manny Toves and Richard Manley. Early voting for the Aug. 3 primary election began on July 15 at the Westin Resort Guam and continues through July 29. The Early Voting Center at the Westin is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Photo by Althea Engman

Richard Manley of Yoña said help is needed for retired and active-duty military members. “I feel like they get neglected, and we forget their needs. It hits home for me, since I am a veteran.”

Everyday concerns were also on his mind. “The cost of living in Guam for the locals — everything has gone up — fuel, groceries, electricity, rent. It has gone out of hand, and we need our leaders to help,” he said.

Manley was pleased with his experience of early voting. “I can get it out of the way and not worry about it later on. Voting is important because that one vote could put your candidate to the top.”

Josiah Taitingfong of Chalan Pago was one of the younger voters at the Westin.

“Some of the main issues I feel are important are the economy, the drug problem on the island, and getting the younger people to vote,” he said.

“I feel like some of my peers [think] since their mom and dad are voting, they don’t need to.” Taintingfong said he has a message for other young people. “You are getting older; you need to get out there, use your voice, elect, and vote for people who are going to get the job done.”

Manny Toves of Mong Mong was happy to vote early, he said.

“I wanted to get it out of the way. There is less traffic, and smaller crowds.”

Issues on his mind, he said are the cost of living and the lack of Supplemental Security Income for Guam’s older citizens.

Also, he said, “Move our VA records here instead of having to go to Hawaii — especially because I am an Army veteran myself.”

Votes are needed and every vote counts, Toves said. “The more people that vote, the better our leaders. I’ve seen mostly older people voting out here today, and we must convince the younger generation to vote, because they are the future.”

Also taking advantage of early voting was one of Guam’s three Democratic candidates for Congress.

Ginger Cruz told the paper, “We need people to come out here and vote, because this is an incredible choice. We want to emphasize it only takes a few minutes of your time and every vote makes a difference; at the end of the day, it could come down to the last one or three votes.”

Ginger Cruz, one of Guam’s three Democratic candidates for Congress, took advantage of the early voting at the Westin. The Early Voting Center is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until July 29. Photo by Althea Engman.

“I encourage everybody to exercise their right to vote and be part of the solution,” Cruz said.

The Early Voting Center at the Westin is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until July 29. mbj