BY: Eustoria Marie Borja
Koror, Palau – With just 25 days left before Palau’s 12th General Election on November 5, 2024, the Palau Election Commission (PEC) is working diligently to ensure that all voters, including 2,229 absentee voters, can cast their ballots on time.
The Palau Supreme Court, on October 8, upheld the Reapportionment Commission’s single-senatorial district plan, bringing an end to a legal challenge that had temporarily paused preparations. The court acknowledged the unusual timing of their ruling, stating that it is generally against protocol to issue an opinion before all legal briefings are complete. However, due to the urgency of the situation, the court found no merit in Jackson Ngiraingas’ arguments and determined that waiting for further responses would be unnecessary. As a result, the justices unanimously agreed to proceed swiftly with the ruling to avoid further delays.
This decision allows the PEC to move forward with printing and distributing absentee ballots to meet the November 5 postmark deadline. Absentee voting is essential for many Palauans, including those overseas, at sea, or unable to vote in person due to illness.
Absentee Ballot Printing in Guam
Printing of Palau General Election ballots is underway by the Guam Election Commission and Election Systems and Software (ESS), a U.S.-based company known for its expertise in election logistics. The process will take 2 to 3 days.
Sherwin Yamaguchi, Director of PEC, explained that the goal is for absentee ballots to be mailed out next week. “This is a tedious process, but we are confident that with our partners in Guam and ESS, the ballots will be printed and sent out promptly,” Yamaguchi said.
Once received from Guam, the ballots will be sent to voters with clear instructions on how to correctly fill them out. The PEC stresses that absentee voters must follow these instructions carefully to avoid any errors that could result in their ballots being rejected. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 5 and received by the PEC no later than November 12 to be counted.
Public Concerns
However, the court’s decision has sparked public concern. Moses, a vocal critic of the ruling, expressed his frustration, stating, “The court has failed to do a well-researched and thoughtful opinion on the constitutionality of this issue and took political expediency over justice. Where is the rule of law? I fear for the future of this country at the rate we are going. A LUK ER AR MEKEDUNG A TOMELLI A BELUU EL DIUA DELNGERNGERIR AR DENGERENGER.”
Many voters feared that the delays from the reapportionment ruling would affect their ability to participate, particularly absentee voters. The PEC has reassured the public that absentee ballots will be mailed promptly, allowing sufficient time for voters to receive and return them before the deadline.
Commitment to a Transparent Election Process
“We recognize the concerns surrounding the court ruling, but despite the delays, we are fully committed to ensuring every vote is counted,” said Yamaguchi. “We are focused on meeting all deadlines and ensuring a fair and transparent election.”
Once absentee ballots are received, they will be securely held for seven days before being forwarded to the Counting and Tabulation Committee. PEC officials will carefully examine each ballot to ensure compliance with election laws. Any absentee ballots that fail to meet the legal requirements, such as missing signatures or improperly completed affidavits, will be marked “REJECTED” and preserved according to PEC rules and regulations.
Despite the challenges posed by the reapportionment ruling, the PEC is focused on running an orderly election and ensuring that every vote—whether in-person or absentee—counts. With 25 days left until election day, the PEC is working around the clock to safeguard the election process.
Key Deadlines:
November 5, 2024: Absentee ballots must be postmarked by election day.
November 12, 2024: Absentee ballots must be received by the PEC for counting.
As the election approaches, the PEC encourages all absentee voters to submit their ballots as early as possible to ensure their voices are heard in this pivotal election.