By: Eustoria Marie Borja
Republic of Palau – Unofficial results from Angaur State’s 22nd General Election, held on November 5, 2024, show a close race for the Office of the Governor. Natus Misech leads with 76 votes, narrowly ahead of incumbent Governor Steven R. Salii, who received 70 votes. Warren Fukuichi emerged as a write-in candidate who garnered 39 votes.
The total number of registered voters in Angaur State stands at 478, with 193 votes cast, resulting in a voter turnout of 40.4%. The Palau Election Commission has issued 70 absentee ballots and so far, 20 absentee ballots which will be counted on November 12, 2024, to finalize the results.
Concerns have been raised about the absentee ballots, as a similar issue occurred during the primary election when the ballots did not make it to Palau in time. The possibility of the remaining absentee ballots not arriving by the November 12 deadline has worried citizens, who fear that the outcome could be impacted if delays repeat.
For the Angaur State Legislature, Arkagius Orak Yamada leads the candidates with 126 votes, followed by Ethel Arurang with 111 votes and Micheal Erik Vereen with 100 votes. Other results include Audrey Rafael with 99 votes, Helena Gulibert with 98 votes, Jake Ramon with 88 votes, Arnold Asao with 87 votes, Jay Glee Henry with 68 votes, and Gloor N. Gates with 30 votes.
The final tabulation of absentee ballots next week remains crucial, especially in the tight gubernatorial race, as the community anxiously awaits to see if history will repeat itself or if all votes will be received and counted in time.