Feds sue Guam, US territory’s election officials over next month’s general election

Feds sue Guam, US territory’s election officials

HONOLULU — The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Guam and the U.S. territory’s election officials to ensure military service members and other U.S. citizens living overseas have the opportunity to participate in the Nov. 2 federal general election.

The suit was filed Wednesday in Hagatna, Guam. It seeks additional time — until Nov. 15 — for receipt of absentee ballots so eligible military and overseas voters have enough time to receive, cast and return their ballots.

Guam’s attorney general’s office had no comment.

Guam law requires votes to be certified shortly after the election in which Guam’s congressional delegate, Madeleine Bordallo, a Democrat, is running for re-election unopposed.

The Justice Department says Guam mailed ballots last week, missing the Sept. 18 deadline mandated by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.