Challenge to Guam One-Race Plebiscite Moves Forward

A three judge panel heard oral argument in Guam resident Dave Davis’s challenge to that island’s race exclusive plebiscite.  Davis had tried to register to vote in the plebiscite to consider Guam’s future relationship with the US, but was denied because he cannot trace his ancestry to a Chamorro, the original inhabitants of Guam.  The panel travelled to Hagatna, Guam to hear the case. Guam attorneys argued that Guam is a special case because the original residents were never polled about whether they wanted to become part of the United States. In addition to CIR, Davis is represented by J. Christian Adams of the Election Law Center, and Douglas Cox and Scott Martin of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.