{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f1\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial;} {\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f176\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f177\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f179\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;} {\f180\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f181\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f182\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f183\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;} {\f184\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f186\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE;}{\f187\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr;}{\f189\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek;}{\f190\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur;} {\f191\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew);}{\f192\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic);}{\f193\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic;}{\f194\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial (Vietnamese);}{\f196\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;} {\f197\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}{\f199\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}{\f200\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f201\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);} {\f202\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}{\f203\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}{\f204\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255; \red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0; \red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;\red255\green255\blue255;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext15 _level1;}{\s16\qj \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext16 _level2;}{\s17\qj \fi-720\li2160\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin2160\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext17 _level3;}{\s18\qj \fi-720\li2880\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin2880\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext18 _level4;}{\s19\qj \fi-720\li3600\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin3600\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext19 _level5;}{\s20\qj \fi-720\li4320\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin4320\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext20 _level6;}{\s21\qj \fi-720\li5040\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin5040\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext21 _level7;}{\s22\qj \fi-720\li5760\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin5760\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext22 _level8;}{\s23\qj \fi-720\li6480\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin6480\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext23 _level9;}{ \s24\qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext24 _levsl1;}{ \s25\qj \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext25 _levsl2;}{\s26\qj \fi-720\li2160\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin2160\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext26 _levsl3;}{\s27\qj \fi-720\li2880\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin2880\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext27 _levsl4;}{\s28\qj \fi-720\li3600\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin3600\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext28 _levsl5;}{\s29\qj \fi-720\li4320\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin4320\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext29 _levsl6;}{\s30\qj \fi-720\li5040\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin5040\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext30 _levsl7;}{\s31\qj \fi-720\li5760\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin5760\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext31 _levsl8;}{\s32\qj \fi-720\li6480\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin6480\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext32 _levsl9;}{ \s33\qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext33 _levnl1;}{ \s34\qj \fi-720\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext34 _levnl2;}{\s35\qj \fi-720\li2160\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin2160\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext35 _levnl3;}{\s36\qj \fi-720\li2880\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin2880\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext36 _levnl4;}{\s37\qj \fi-720\li3600\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin3600\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext37 _levnl5;}{\s38\qj \fi-720\li4320\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin4320\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext38 _levnl6;}{\s39\qj \fi-720\li5040\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin5040\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext39 _levnl7;}{\s40\qj \fi-720\li5760\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin5760\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext40 _levnl8;}{\s41\qj \fi-720\li6480\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin6480\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext41 _levnl9;}{ \s42\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext42 Definition T;}{\s43\qj \li360\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin0\lin360\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext43 Definition L;}{\*\cs44 \additive \i Definition;}{ \s45\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs48\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext45 H1;}{\s46\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs36\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext46 H2;}{ \s47\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext47 H3;}{\s48\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext48 H4;}{ \s49\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext49 H5;}{\s50\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs16\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext50 H6;}{ \s51\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext51 Address;}{\s52\qj \li360\ri360\nowidctlpar \tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\faauto\rin360\lin360\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext52 Blockquote;}{\*\cs53 \additive \i CITE;}{\*\cs54 \additive \f2\fs20 CODE;}{\*\cs55 \additive \i \sbasedon10 Emphasis;}{\*\cs56 \additive \ul\cf2 \sbasedon10 Hyperlink;}{\*\cs57 \additive \ul\cf12 FollowedHype;}{\*\cs58 \additive \b\f2\fs20 Keyboard;}{\s59\qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar \tx0\tx958\tx1917\tx2876\tx3835\tx4794\tx5754\tx6712\tx7671\tx8630\tx9356\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f2\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext59 Preformatted;}{\s60\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrdb\brdrw5\brdrcf1 \faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs16\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext60 zBottom of;}{\s61\qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\brdrb\brdrdb\brdrw5\brdrcf1 \faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs16\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext61 zTop of For;}{\*\cs62 \additive \f2 Sample;}{\*\cs63 \additive \b \sbasedon10 Strong;}{\*\cs64 \additive \f2\fs20 Typewriter;}{\*\cs65 \additive \i Variable;}{\*\cs66 \additive \v\cf6 HTML Markup;}{\*\cs67 \additive Comment;}{\*\cs68 \additive searchterm;}{\*\cs69 \additive \super Footnote Ref;}}{\*\revtbl {Unknown;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid163571\rsid796478\rsid1000777\rsid3112137\rsid6901438\rsid8800825\rsid9318963\rsid9725479\rsid10300682\rsid10711547\rsid12194375\rsid14578570\rsid15611751} {\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6775;}{\info{\title Benavente v. Taitano, 2006 Guam 15}{\subject civil}{\author Supreme Court of Guam}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2006\mo11\dy7\hr9\min2}{\revtim\yr2006\mo11\dy7\hr9\min2}{\version2}{\edmins2} {\nofpages27}{\nofwords10545}{\nofchars60110}{\*\company USP}{\nofcharsws70514}{\vern16391}}\margl1440\margr1440\margt2037\margb1080 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\hyphhotz936\notabind\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\subfontbysize\lytprtmet\hyphcaps0\horzdoc\dghspace120\dgvspace120\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow3 \jcompress\viewkind4\viewscale100\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot14578570 \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid15611751 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid15611751 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid15611751 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid15611751 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \psz1\sbknone\linex0\headery1186\footery1440\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid6901438\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \ql \fi-2880\li2880\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx3600\tqr\tx9360\faauto\rin0\lin2880\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Benavente v. Taitano}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , Opinion\tab \tab Page \chpgn of }{\field{\*\fldinst {\fs20\insrsid14578570 NUMPAGES \\* ARABIC }}{\fldrslt {\fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid10711547 36}}}{ \fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }{\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid9725479 {\shp{\*\shpinst\shpleft0\shptop0\shpright0\shpbottom0\shpfhdr0\shpbxmargin\shpbxignore\shpbypara\shpbyignore\shpwr3\shpwrk0\shpfblwtxt0\shpz0\shplid2051 {\sp{\sn shapeType}{\sv 20}}{\sp{\sn fFlipH}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fFlipV}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn lineColor}{\sv 2}}{\sp{\sn lineWidth}{\sv 9144}}{\sp{\sn lineStyle}{\sv 1}}{\sp{\sn fLine}{\sv 1}}{\sp{\sn posrelh}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fLayoutInCell}{\sv 0}} {\sp{\sn fLayoutInCell}{\sv 0}}}{\shprslt{\*\do\dobxmargin\dobypara\dodhgt8192\dpline\dpptx0\dppty0\dpptx0\dppty0\dpx0\dpy0\dpxsize0\dpysize0\dplinew14\dplinecor2\dplinecog0\dplinecob0}}} {\shp{\*\shpinst\shpleft0\shptop4\shpright9360\shpbottom4\shpfhdr0\shpbxmargin\shpbxignore\shpbypara\shpbyignore\shpwr3\shpwrk0\shpfblwtxt0\shpz1\shplid2052{\sp{\sn shapeType}{\sv 20}}{\sp{\sn fFlipH}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fFlipV}{\sv 0}} {\sp{\sn lineColor}{\sv 2}}{\sp{\sn lineWidth}{\sv 6096}}{\sp{\sn fLine}{\sv 1}}{\sp{\sn posrelh}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fLayoutInCell}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fLayoutInCell}{\sv 0}}}{\shprslt{\*\do\dobxmargin\dobypara\dodhgt8193\dpline\dpptx0\dppty0\dpptx9360\dppty0 \dpx0\dpy4\dpxsize9360\dpysize0\dplinew9\dplinecor2\dplinecog0\dplinecob0}}}}{\insrsid14578570 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF GUAM \par \par ROBERT L.G. BENAVENTE, TRINI T. TORRES, \par FRANK DUENAS CRUZ, PETER ANTHONY SAN NICOLAS, \par JAMES THOMAS MCDONALD, \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellants,}{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par \par vs. \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 GERRY TAITANO, DIRECTOR, \par GUAM ELECTION COMMISSION and \par THE GUAM ELECTION COMMISSION, \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Respondents}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellees.}{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Supreme Court Case No.:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 CVA06}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 013 \par Superior Court Case No.: SP0140}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 06 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 OPINION}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Filed: October 27, 2006}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Cite as:}{\b\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 2006 Guam 15}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par Appeal from the Superior Court of Guam \par Argued and submitted on October 25, 2006 \par Hag\'e5t\'f1a, Guam \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par }\trowd \irow0\irowband0\lastrow \ts11\trgaph120\trleft0\trkeep\trftsWidth1\trpaddl120\trpaddr120\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth4680\clshdrawnil \cellx4680\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth4680\clshdrawnil \cellx9360\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\intbl\faauto\rin0\lin0\pararsid1000777 { \ul\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 For Petitioners}{\ul\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\ul\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellants:}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par Thomas J. Fisher, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Esq.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par Van de Veld Shimizu Canto & Fisher \par Suite 101, De La Corte Bldg. \par 167 East Marine Corps Dr. \par Hag\'e5t\'f1a, Guam 96910 \cell }{\ul\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 For Respondents}{\ul\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\ul\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellees:}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par Theodore S. Christopher, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Esq.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par Cabot Mantanona LLP \par Bank Pacific Bldg., Second Fl. \par 825 S. Marine Corps Dr. \par Tamuning, Guam 96913}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \cell }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\intbl\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \trowd \irow0\irowband0\lastrow \ts11\trgaph120\trleft0\trkeep\trftsWidth1\trpaddl120\trpaddr120\trpaddfl3\trpaddfr3 \clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth4680\clshdrawnil \cellx4680\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnone \clbrdrl\brdrnone \clbrdrb\brdrnone \clbrdrr\brdrnone \cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth4680\clshdrawnil \cellx9360\row }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \par BEFORE:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 F. PHILIP CARBULLIDO, Chief Justice; RICHARD H. BENSON, Justice }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Pro Tempore}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ; J. BRADLEY KLEMM, Justice }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Pro Tempore}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 CARBULLIDO, C.J.:}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [1]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Petitioners}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellants Robert L.G. Benavente, Trini T. Torres, Frank Duenas Cruz, Peter Anthony San Nicolas, and James Thomas McDonald (collectively, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "} {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ) appeal from a Superior Court Judgment dismissing their challenge to the September 2, 2006 Primary Election for lack of jurisdiction.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The underlying petition was dismissed on three separate and independent grounds.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners argue on appeal that: (1) the trial court erred in dismissing the petition for lack of standing; (2)}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the trial court e rred in dismissing the petition for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; and (3) the trial court erred in dismissing the petition for failure to join the 2006 Primary Election nominees. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [2]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab With regard to standing, we hold that Petitioners have statutory standing under 3 GCA \'a7 16501 to contest the Primary Election, and therefore the trial court erred in dismissing the petition on this ground.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We further hold that 3 GCA \'a7 12115 provides the remedy sought by Petitioners and therefore the trial court erred in dismissing the petition for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Finally, we hold that the trial court erred in failing to properly consider the relevant interests and factors required under Rule 19 of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure before dismissing the petition, and such errors amount to an abuse of discretion.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Accordingly, we reverse the Decision and Order dismissing the petition, and remand to the Superior Court with instructions to vacate the Final Jud gment and conduct further proceedings consistent with this opinion.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 I.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [3]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In 2006, Guam\rquote s Primary Election included races for the seats of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Congressional Delegate, Attorney General, and Senator.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Because there were only thirteen Republican candidates seeking senatorial seats, the Guam Election Commission1{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 1}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Title 3GCA \'a7 1103 (2005) defines \'93Commission\'94 as the Election Commission. }} canceled the Primary Election for the Republican Party with regard to the senatorial race, pursuant to section 6 of Guam Public Law 28}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 128, which amended 3 GCA \'a7 16108.2{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 2}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 As amended, the provision states, in relevant part: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\b\fs20\insrsid14578570 \'a716108. Primary Election Cancelled When Unnecessary.}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (a) When the Commission determines that a political party that has qualified for placement on the primary ballot has: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin1440\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (i) the same or fewer number of candidates running for nomination to the Legislature than the number of senatorial seats allowed in law, it shall cancel such Primary Election for that party for the Legislature because of the lack of any contest . . . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \fi-1440\li1440\ri1440\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\faauto\rin1440\lin1440\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \tab \tab . . . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (b) Certification of candidates. Following such cancellation, the Commission shall certify all candidates who qualified to appear on the ballots in such cancelled primary elections for placement on the general election ballot as candidates of their respective political parties for the general election. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 3 GCA \'a7 16108 (as amended by Guam Pub. L. 28-128:6 (June 27, 2006)).}}}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [4]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Primary Election was held on September 2, 2006, and did not include a race for the Republican Party\rquote s senatorial candidates.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 After the unofficial results of the Primary Election, but before the results had been certified, Petitioners Benavente and Torres filed a lawsuit against Respondents}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellees Gerry Taitano, Director of the Guam Election Commission and the Guam Election Commission (collectively, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the Commission}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 They requested that the court void the Primary Election and its results.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Over the Commission\rquote s objection, the trial court granted Petitioners\rquote motion to amend, and Petitioners then filed a First Amended Petition (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the Petition}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ). }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [5]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Petition alleged constitutional violations, specifically, violations of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights of equal protection under the law and due process of law, and violations of the First Amendment rights of fr ee association and free speech.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners also alleged statutory violations under Title 3 GCA and the Organic Act of Guam.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Petition made the following statutory claims under Title 3 GCA:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (1) that the paper ballots failed to contain the warnings required by 3 GCA \'a7 16301(d)3{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 3}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Title 3 GCA \'a7 16301(d) (2005) states: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 There shall appear specific instructions in boldface type on each ballot that a voter may cast votes for candidates appearing on that ballot for one (1) party only; that if votes are cas t for candidates of more than one (1) party for any office or nomination of offices appearing on the ballot, the entire ballot shall be void. The instructions on the ballot shall clearly indicate that voters are allowed to cast votes in only one (1) party for all offices in that Primary Election. Any ballot wherein votes are cast for more than one (1) party for all offices in that Primary Election shall be void[.]}} ; (2) that warnings were not given on the electronic voting machines and were not posted within the voting booths; (3) that the use of electronic voting machines is not permitted under 3 GCA \'a7 164024{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 4}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 This provision states in its entirety: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\b\fs20\insrsid14578570 \'a7 16402. Manner of Voting. }{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Any person desiring to vote at a primary shall state his name and residence to the election officials. If the person desiring to vote is not challenged, one of the officials shall give to him one and only one official primary ballot. The voter shall proce e d to one of the compartments provided and therein mark the ballot. The marked ballot shall immediately be placed in the ballot box provided. In addition, the provisions of Chapter 10 of this Title (Absent Voting) shall also apply to a primary election so as to permit voting by absentee ballot therein. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 3 GCA \'a7 16402 (2005)}}; (4) that voters could not write in a candidate in the republican primary or vote for such}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 candidate as required under 3 GCA 16301(f)5{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 { \super\insrsid14578570 5}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Title 3 GCA \'a7 16301(f) (2005) states: \'93The Guam Election Commission shall make accommodation for the voter to write in the name of a person or persons not otherwise appearing on the ballot, under each office being contested under each party heading[.]\'94}} ; (5) that the Commission failed to properly tabulate the vote; and (6) that there were widespread abuses of the primary electoral process.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 8}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 19 (Pet\rquote r First Amended Pet. and Mem. of P. and A.).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [6]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In addition to raising these legal challenges, the Petition also added Petitioners Cruz, San Nicolas and McDonald as parties to the action.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 } {\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [7]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Petition made the following requests for relief:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 declare the results of the 2006 [Primary Election] null and void and order the Commission to conduct a new primary election forthwith or, alternatively, place all candidates named on the general election ballot.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 21 (Pet\rquote r First Amended Pet. and Mem. of P. and A.).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [8]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Commission filed a motion seeking dismissal of the Petition, which Petitioners opposed.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 After conducting hearings on the motion, the trial court granted the motion, and dismissed the Petition on three grounds:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (1) lack of standing; (2) failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted; and (3) failure to join an indispensable party.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 100}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 03, 98, 107}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 08 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A final Judgment was entered, and Petitioners timely appealed.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 II.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [9]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We have jurisdiction over this appeal from a final judgment pursuant to 48 U.S.C. \'a7 1424}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 1(a)(2) (Westlaw through Pub. L. 109}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 279 (2006)), and 7 GCA \'a7\'a7 3107(b) and 3108(b) (2005).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We also have authority to expedite the appeal process pursuant to 3 GCA \'a7 12121 (2005) and Rule 2 of the Guam Rules of Appellate Procedure.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 III.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [10]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab A trial court\rquote s decision on whether a party has standing is reviewed }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 de novo}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Taitano v. Lujan}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 2005 Guam 26 \'b6 15.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Review of a dismissal for failure to state a claim is }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 de novo}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See Kelson v. City of Springfield}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 767 F.2d 651, 653 (9th Cir. 1985); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 see also Archbishop of Guam v. G.F.G. Corp.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 1997 Guam 12 \'b6 9 (stating that determination of whethe r a party failed to state a claim is a question of law which is reviewed }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 de novo}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Finally, we review for an abuse of discretion the trial court\rquote s decision to dismiss pursuant to Rule 19 of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See Rishell v. Jane Phillips Episcopal Mem\rquote l Med. Ctr., }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 94 F.3d 1407, 1410}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 11 (10th Cir. 1996).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 IV.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [11]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Petitioners}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Appellants claim three errors on appeal.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 First, they argue that the trial court erred in dismissing the Petition for lack of standing.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Second, Petitioners argue that the trial court erred in dismissing the Petition pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Finally, Petitioners contend that the trial court erred in dismissing the Petition pursuant to Rule 19(b) for failure to join the absent nominees.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We address each claim of error in turn. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \fi-1440\li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A.\tab Standing}{\b\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [12]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We first address whether Petitioners have standing to file the underlying petition which, in effect, contests the results of the Primary Election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [13]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court in this case determined that because the Petitioners failed to meet the standing requirements of causation and redressability under Article III, Petitioners \rquote constitutional claims must be dismissed.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 On appeal, Petitioners argue that becaus e the laws of Guam confer statutory standing to raise their constitutional claims, they need not satisfy the constitutional requirements of Article III.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [14]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Standing is a threshold jurisdictional matter.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam Imaging Consultants, Inc. v. Guam Mem\rquote l Hosp. Auth.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 2004 Guam 15 \'b6 17 (citing }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Brewer v. Lewis}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 989 F.2d 1021, 1025 (9th Cir.1993)).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, we have held that a court has no subject matter jurisdiction to hear a claim when a party lacks standing.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 } {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The question of standing focuses on who may bring an action.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Waco Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Gibson}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 22 S.W.3d 849, 851 (Tex. 2000).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In essence, the relevant inquiry is }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 whether the litigant is entitled to have the court decide the merits of the dispute or of particular issues.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Warth v. Seldin}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 422 U.S. 490, 498 (1975).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [15]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The United States Supreme Court has stated that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the irreducible constitutional minimum of standing}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 under Article III of the United States Constitution contains three elements:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 First, the plaintiff must have suffered an injury in fact \endash an invasion of a legally protected interest which is (a) concrete and particularized, and (b) actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical. . . . Second, there must be a causal connection between the injury and the conduct complained of}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the injury has to be fairly . . . trace[able] to the challenged action of the defendant, and not . . . th[e] result [of] the independent action of some third party not before the court.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Third, it must be likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 504 U.S. 555, 560}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 61 (1992) (citations, footnote, and quotation marks omitted).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In the context of the federal courts, the Court has recognized that in order to invoke the feder al judicial process, a party must adhere to the requirements of standing under Article III, except where standing is expressly conferred by statute.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Linda R.S. v. Richard D.}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 410 U.S. 614 (1973).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Court has further recognized that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Congress may enact statutes creating legal rights, the invasion of which creates standing, even though no injury would exist without the statute.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . at 617 n.3.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Stated another way, because federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, a federal plaintiff must satisfy standing under Article III, unless standing is statutorily conferred.}{ \insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [16]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab With respect to the application of Article III\rquote s standing requirements to state courts, the Court has held that, unlike federal courts, }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 state courts are not bound to adhere to federal standing requirements.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ASARCO, Inc. v. Kadish}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 490 U.S. 605, 617 (1989) (noting that the constraints of Article III of the federal Constitution do not apply to state courts).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To be sure, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has observed that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 state courts (and by extension, territorial courts) are not bound by Article III requirements. . . .}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Gutierrez v. Pangelinan}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 276 F.3d 539, 544 (9th Cir. 2002).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rather, in state courts, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 standing is a self}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 imposed rule of restraint.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [17]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Unlike some state constitutions, the Organic Act of Guam provides no express case or controversy requirement similar to the standing requirements found in Article III.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The issue of whether the common law Article III standing requirements will be imposed upon those seeking relief in Guam courts has not been directly addressed by this court.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Nor has this court had the occasion to discuss such standing requirements in the face of statutes that confer standing and thereby entitle a particular litigant to have the court de cide the merits of a dispute.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Nonetheless, while we recognize that Guam courts are not bound by Article III standing requirements, we do not reject such principles.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [18]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Consistent with federal case law on the statutory standing exception, state courts have observed that the traditional rules of standing apply except where standing is statutorily conferred.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Press}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Enter. Inc. v. Benton Area Sch. Dist.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 604 A.2d 1221, 1223 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1992).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, state courts have held that standing may be predicated on either common}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 law standing by applying Article III principles or statutory standing, where the statute serves as the proper framework of analysis.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Daimler Chrysler Corp. v. Inman}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 121 S.W.3d 862, 869}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 70 (Tex. App. 2003).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In other words, }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [a] party acquires standing either by suffering an injury in fact or as the beneficiary of express statutory authority granting standing.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Tanner v. Town Council}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 880 A.2d 784 (R.I. 2005).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [19]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Where standing is statutorily conferred, the court\rquote s analysis begins with }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 a straight statutory construction of the relevant statute to determine upon whom the Legislature conferred standing and whether the Petitioners here fall in that category.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id. }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 n.6.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moreover, the Legislature, in conferring standing, may by statute exempt litigants from proof of the }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 special injury}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 required to establish common law standing.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Everett v. TK}{ \i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Taito, L.L.C.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 178 S.W.3d 844, 850 (Tex. App. 2005).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [20]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We agree with the above line of cases and hold that standing may be predicated upon the statutory grant of such standing by the legislature or the common}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 law standing principles of Article III.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Therefore, where standing is statutorily conferred, we look first to the language of the relevant statute to determine whether a party has statutory standing.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Where standing is not conferred by statute, we turn to the common law principles of Article III to determine whether a litigant satisfies such standing requirements.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In the latter case, we will defer }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 to the more extensive jurisprudential experience of the federal courts on this subject for any guidance it may yield.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Tex. Ass\rquote n of Bus. v. Tex. Air Control Bd.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 852 S.W.2d 440, 444 (Tex. 1993).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [21]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Thus, in determining whether Petitioners have standing, our analysis begins by examining if any statutory authority exists for the claims asserted.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Under Guam\rquote s Elections Law,6{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 6}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Title 3 GCA \'a7 1101 (2005) states that such Title \'93shall be known and may be cited as the Elections Law.\'94 }} an election contest may be filed under 3 GCA \'a7 121027{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 7}{ \fs20\insrsid14578570 Title 3 GCA \'a7 12102 (2005) states, in its entirety: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\b\fs20\insrsid14578570 \'a7 12102. Causes for Contest.}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Any voter of the territory of Guam in a general election, or of a municipality or precinct in a municipal election, may contest any election held therein, for any of the following causes: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (a) That the person who has been declared elected to an office other than as a member of the Guam Legislature was not, at the time of the election, eligible to that office. \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin720\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \fi-1440\li2160\ri1440\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\faauto\rin1440\lin2160\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \tab (b) That the precinct board or any member thereof was guilty of misconduct. \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin720\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (c) That the defendant has given to any elector or inspector, judge or clerk of the election, any bribe or reward or has offered any bribe or reward for the purpose of procuring his election, or has committed any other offense against the elective franchise of Guam. \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin720\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \fi-1440\li2160\ri1440\nowidctlpar\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\faauto\rin1440\lin2160\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \tab (d) That illegal votes were cast. \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin720\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (e) That the precinct board in conducting the election or in counting the ballots, made errors sufficient to change the results of the election as to any person who has been declared elected. \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1440\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin720\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri1440\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin1440\lin1440\itap0\pararsid10300682 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (f) that the Election Commission in conducting the election or in canvassing the ballots made errors sufficient to change the results of the election as to any person who has been declared elected.}} or 3 GCA \'a7 16501.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We believe, and the parties do not dispute, that Petitioners filed the underlying action pursuant to section 16501.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, we look to this statute to determine upon whom the Legislature conferred standing and whether the claimant in question falls in that category.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [22]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Title 3 GCA \'a7 16501 (2005) provides that:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Any candidate directly interested, or any registered and qualified elector of any precinct, may file a petition in the Superior Court of Guam, setting forth }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 any cause or causes}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 why the decision of the Commission should be revised, corrected or changed.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (Emphasis added).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This provision is specific as to who can bring an action to contest an election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To fall within the category of persons prescribed in the statute, a person must be either a }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 directly interested}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 candidate or a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 registered and qualified elector.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [23]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A candidate is one who either seeks a nomination or is proposed for a nomination by sponsors in accordance with the provisions of this Title.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3 GCA \'a7 1114 (2005).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 An elector is }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 any person who is entitled to register under \'a7 3101 of this Title.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3 GCA \'a7 1104 (2005).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Accordingly, 3 GCA \'a7 3101 (2005), entitled }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Persons Entitled to Vote:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Compliance With Registration Provisions,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 sets f orth the requirements that would entitle a person to be able to vote.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A petitioner who satisfies the definition of a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 directly interested}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 candidate or a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 registered and qualified voter}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 may file a petition for any cause or causes as to why the decision of the Commission should be revised, corrected, or changed.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [24]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Here, Petitioners Benavente and Torres were candidates who sought nomination in the 2006 Primary Election and were qualified electors.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As such, they meet the definition of a candidate under the statute.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moreover, as candidates who appeared on the Primary Election ballots, they have a direct interest in the outcome of the election. We therefore find that Petitioners Benavente and Torres are }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 directly interested}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 candidates under the statute who may file a petition to contest the election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners San Nicolas, Cruz, and McDonald were also qualified electors.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [25]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab To become a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 qualified elector}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 under the Elections Law, one must be a registered voter who has satisfied the registration provisions.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The parties do not dispute that Petitioners, San Nicolas, Cruz, and McDonald were registered voters at the time of the September 2, 2006 Primary Election, and there is no evidence in the record to suggest otherwise.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [26]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We do not agree with the Commission\rquote s argument that 3 GCA \'a7 16501 imposes a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 case or controversy}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 requirement.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The plain language of section 16501 does not require a petitioner to satisfy the }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 case or controversy}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 requirement.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rather, it requires that a petitioner must either be a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 directly interested}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 candidate or a }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 registered and qualified voter}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 to bring suit.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 If this court were to adopt such analysis, it would require that Petitioners meet an additional requirement, and such an interpretation is not supported by the express language of the statute.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Commission\rquote s argument is therefore misplaced.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [27]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Therefore, using the statute as the proper framework for our analysis, standing is statutorily conferred on the Petitioners because they are either: (1) candidates directly interested in the 2006 Primary Election, or (2) registered and qualified voters of a precinct.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [28]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Having determined that Petitioners Benavente and Torres qualify as }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 directly interested}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 candidates and Petitioners San Nicolas, Cruz, and McDonald qualify as }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 registered and qualified electors,}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 we next determine whether the claims asserted in their Petition are the type of claims which could be brought under 3 GCA \'a7 16501.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [29]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In this case, Petitioners allege numerous constitutional and statutory claims under Title 3 GCA, all of which stem from the 2006 Primary Election.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A petition may be filed for }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 any cause or causes.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3 GCA \'a7 16501.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The trial court in its decision dismissed Petitioners\rquote constitutional claims for lack of standing, as discussed }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 supra}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , section A., and failed to address Petitioners\rquote standing to assert their statutory claims.8{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 8}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 The trial court dismissed the entire Petition on alternative grounds. The trial court began i ts analysis under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure, and there set out the statutory claims made by Petitioners. The court did not address whether Petitioners had relief under their constitutional claims. Instead, it first held that Pet i tioners failed to state a claim under which relief can be granted and accordingly, dismissed the entire Petition on those grounds. We believe the trial court should have begun its analysis by first deciding the issue of standing, because standing is a th reshold jurisdictional matter which focuses on who may bring an action. More importantly, without standing, the court does not have jurisdiction to determine whether Petitioners failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. }}}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We assume that because the trial court in its decision first dismissed the Petition for failure to state a claim, it likely found it unnecessary to address Petitioners\rquote standing to bring their statutory claims.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [30]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab As previously stated, standing here is established by statute. Petitioners\rquote constitutional claims, in addition to the statutory class asserted in the Petition, are allowed under section 16501, because this section does not limit the type of claims which can be asserted in an election contest petition.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Althoug h we find that Petitioners can assert their constitutional claims to contest a Primary Election under section 16501, our holding here is limited to an action brought under this statute.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We do not extend our holding to denote that where a statute confers standing on a plaintiff to bring an action, that such plaintiff may assert any claim in bringing the action.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The type of claims which may be brought where standing is statutorily conferred is limited to the express language of the relevant statute,9{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 9}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 For instance, 3 GCA \'a7 12115 (2005), discussed }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 infra}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , section B., prescribes specific grounds for contesting an election under such section, unlike the statute here which provides that such action may be filed for any cause or causes.}} and in this case, there e xists statutory authority for Petitioners to assert their constitutional claims in contesting the Primary Election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [31]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We therefore hold that Petitioners have statutory standing to file the underlying petition to contest the Primary Election under 3 GCA \'a7 16501.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Accordingly, the trial court erred in dismissing the Petition for lack of standing.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 B.\tab Failure to State a Claim}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [32]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We next address whether the trial court erred in dismissing the Petition for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether the relief requested by the Petitioners is the type of relief available under our Elections Law.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [33]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court in this case held that because the Petition does not seek to }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 declare any candidate n ominated}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 as required by the specific provisions of Chapter 16, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the Petition does not strictly comply with the requirements of the statutes governing the petition, and must be dismissed for failure to state a claim.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 98 (Decision and Order).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [34]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab On appeal, Petitioners argue that the relief requested through their Petition is provided for in Guam\rquote s Elections Law, more specifically, 3 GCA \'a7 12115, wherein the court has the authority to confirm or annul and set aside the election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, they argue that the trial court erred in holding that the relief requested by the Petitioners is limited to Chapter 12 of Title 3 GCA, Guam\rquote s Elections Law.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We agree.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [35]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The determination of whether the Petitioners\rquote remedy is available in a primary election cont est requires this court to construe several provisions of Chapters 12 and 16 of Title 3 GCA.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It is a cardinal rule of statutory construction that courts must look first to the language of the statute itself.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Sumitomo Constr. Co., Ltd. v. Gov\rquote t of Guam}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 2001 Guam 23 \'b6 17.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It is a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 rudimentary principle[ ] of construction}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 statutes dealing with similar subjects should be interpreted harmoniously.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " } {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Jett v. Dallas Indep. Sch. Dist}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 491 U.S. 701, 739 (1989) (Scalia, J., concurring).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [36]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Laws provi ding for election contests are liberally construed so that doubtful questions of election will be expeditiously settled.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3A Norman J. Singer, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Sutherland Statutory Constr. }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \'a7 73:8 (6th ed. 2006) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Statutes regulating public elections}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Courts have held t hat an election code is to be liberally construed so that candidates are not deprived of their right to office, and voters are not deprived of their vote to elect the candidate of their choice.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In carefully construing an election contest statute, no single statutory provision would be construed in such a way as to render meaningless or absurd and [sic] other statutory provision. If more than one statute applies, they shall be considered in }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 pari materia}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . . . . Where statutes relate to the same subject matter they must be read together and applied harmoniously and consistently.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . (footnotes omitted).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [37]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In this case, under Guam\rquote s Elections Law, an election contest may be brought under Chapter 12 or Chapter 16 of Title 3 GCA.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 At the time of the enactment, Chapter 16, addressing primary elections, did not exist.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rather, Chapter 16 entitled }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Conduct of Primary Elections}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 was added by Guam Public Law 10}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 151 on June 24, 1970.} {\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam Gov\rquote t Code Supp. \'a7 2900 (1974) (codified at 3 GCA \'a716101 (2005)). }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [38]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The remedy provided in 3 GCA \'a7 12115 (2005) states in its entirety:}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Court shall continue in special session to hear and determine }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 all issues}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 arising in contested elections.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 After hearing the proofs and allegations of the parties and within ten (10) days after the submission thereof the Superior Court shall file its findings of fact and conclusions of law, and immediately thereafter shall announce judgment in the case, either }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 confirming or annulling and setting aside the election}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The judgment shall be entered immediately thereafter.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (Emphases added).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [39]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The remedy provided in 16 GCA \'a7 16504 states in its entirety:}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Court shall hear the contest in a summary manner, and at the hearing, the Court shall cause the e vidence to be reduced to writing, and shall within eight (8) days following the return, give judgment, fully stating all the findings of fact and of law.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The judgment shall decide what candidate was nominated or elected, as the case may be, in the matter presented by the petition, and a certified copy of the judgment shall forthwith be served on the Commission, which shall place the name of the candidate declared to be nominated on the ballot for the forthcoming general election, and the judgment shall be conclusive of the right of the candidate so declared to be nominated.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [40]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Chapter 16 }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 shall be liberally construed in favor of the primary voter.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3 GCA \'a7 16102 (2005).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moreover, 3 GCA \'a7 16103 (2005) provides that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the laws relating to elections shall apply to a primary insofar as they are consistent with this Chapter, the intent of this being to place the primary under the regulation and protection of the election laws, as far as possible, consistently with this Ch apter.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It is assumed that whenever the legislature enacts a provision it has in mind previous statutes relating to the same subject matter.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In the absence of any express repeal or amendment, the new provision is presumed in accord with the legislative policy embodied in those prior statutes.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, they all should be construed together.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 2B Norman J. Singer, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Sutherland Statutory Constr. }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \'a7 51:2 (6th ed. 2006).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [41]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We presume that the Legislature, in enacting Chapter 16, was mindful of the election contest provisions in Chapter 12.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Additionally, when Chapter 16 was enacted \endash although entitled }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Conduct of Primary Elections}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \endash the Legislature could have limited an election contest for a primary election to the provisions of Chapter 16.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 But instead, the Legislature \rquote s intent was to apply all election laws, not inconsistent with Chapter 16 of Title 3 GCA, to primary elections.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3 GCA \'a7 16103 (2005).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [42]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The election contest provisions in Chapters 12 and 16 of Title 3 GCA relate to the same subject matter and are aimed at the same situation.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As such, they should be construed together and applied harmoniously and consistently.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Even considering the Commission\rquote s argument that both chapters have distinct provisions for an election contest, and the relief in Chapter 12 does not extend to Chapter 16, we find it problematic and unreasonable that a petitioner contesting a primary election }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 for any cause or causes}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 is limited to the relief in 3 GCA \'a7 16504, their only relief being to submit to the court the names of the candidates that they believe should be declared nominated for placement on the ballot to the general election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [43]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In the instant case, Petitioners allege that because of constitutional violations, substantial irregularities in the election process, and the Commission\rquote s failure to follow the law, the 2006 Primary Election results cannot be upheld.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 They claim that because of the extent of irregularities and illegalities, the names of those who should have rightfully proceeded to the general election cannot be determined.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners simply challenge, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 inter alia}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , the primary election process, and do not challenge any one person\rquote s nomination.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Depending on the extent of the irregularities with the election process, it may be difficult for the court to ascertain who really should be nominated as stated under section 16504.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Applying the Commission\rquote s theory and argument that Petitioners have no relief under Chapter 12 because they filed a Chapter 16 action, thereby construes section 16504 in such a way a s to render section 12115 meaningless or absurd.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [44]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We construe Chapter 12 and Chapter 16 together,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 as they both relate to the same subject matter, keeping in mind the intent of the Guam Legislature when it enacted Chapter 16.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Neither chapter has been repealed or amended.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Legislature\rquote s approach in enacting Chapter 16 clearly evidences an intent that a petitioner filing suit under Chapter 16 is not limited to the relief provided in this chapter.} {\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This conclusion is buttressed by section 16103.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To further support our conclusion, the relief provided in 3 GCA \'a7 12115 states that the court shall determine }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 all issues arising in contested elections}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 and is not limited to an action brought under Chapter 12. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [45]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab After construing both chapters together, we find that the remedy allowed in Chapter 12 is also available for actions brought under Chapter 16.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We further find that a petitioner need not file a Chapter 12 action to obtain the relief of annulling, voiding, or setting aside an election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, the trial court erred in dismissing the Petition for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \fi-720\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 C.\tab Rule 19 \endash Necessary and Indispensable Parties}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [46]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The final issue we consider is whether the trial court erred in dismissing the underlying acti on for failure to join the absentee nominees, pursuant to Rule 19(b) of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [47]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Rule 19, entitled }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Joinder of Persons Needed for Just Adjudication,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 states in full: }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (a) Persons to be Joined if Feasible. A person who is su bject to service of process and whose joinder will not deprive the court of jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action shall be joined as a party in the action if (1) in the person's absence complete relief cannot be accorded among those already p a rties, or (2) the person claims an interest relating to the subject of the action and is so situated that the disposition of the action in the person's absence may (I) as a practical matter impair or impede the person's ability to protect that interest, o r (ii) leave any of the persons already parties subject to a substantial risk of incurring double, multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations by reason of the claimed interest. If the person has not been so joined, the court shall order that the perso n be made a party. If the person should join as a plaintiff but refuses to do so, the person may be made a defendant, or, in the proper case, an involuntary plaintiff.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (b) Determination by Court Whenever Joinder Not Feasible. If a person as described in subdivision (a)(1) \endash (2) hereof cannot be made a party, the court shall determine whether in equity and good conscience the action should proceed among the parties before it, or should be dismissed, the absent persons thus being regarded as indispensable. The factors to be considered by the court include: First, to what extent a judgment rendered in the person's absence might be prejudicial to the person or those already parties; second, the extent to which, by protective provisions in the judgment, by the sh a ping of relief, or other measures, the prejudice can be lessened or avoided; third, whether a judgment rendered in the person's absence will be adequate; fourth, whether the plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder. }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam R. Civ. P. 19.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [48]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Guam\rquote s Rule 19(a) and (b) are virtually identical to Rule 19(a) and (b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the federal rule}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ), and therefore, we look to cases which interpret and apply the principles of the federal rule for guidance. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [49]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The leading federal Rule 19 case is }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident Tradesmens Bank & Trust Co. v. Patterson}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 390 U.S. 102 (1968).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As a preliminary matter, the Court observed that four different interests must be examined to determine whether, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in equity and good conscience, the court should proceed without a party whose absence from the litigation is compelled.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . at 109.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 First, the plaintiff has an interest in having a forum. . . . Second, the defendant may properly wish to avoid multiple litigation, or in consistent relief, or sole responsibility for a liability he shares with another. . . . Third, there is the interest of the outsider whom it would have been desirable to join. . . . Fourth, there remains the interest of the courts and the public in comple te, consistent, and efficient settlement of controversies. }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . at 109}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 11 (footnotes omitted).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In short, in conducting an analysis under Rule 19, the court must take into consideration the interests of the plaintiff, defendant, absentee, the court, and the public.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 1. \tab Standard of Review}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [50]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The circuit courts of appeal vary with respect to the standard of review to apply to a trial court\rquote s Rule 19 determination.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [51]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits apply an abuse of discretion standard to the trial court\rquote s determination under both Rule 19(a) and Rule 19(b).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Nat\rquote l Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Rite Aid}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 210 F.3d 246, 250 (4th Cir. 2000); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Wash. v. Daley}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 173 F.3d 1158, 1165 (9th Cir. 1999); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Davis v. United States}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 192 F.3d 951, 957 (10th Cir. 1999).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [52]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Sixth Circuit applies an abuse of discretion standard to the trial court\rquote s analysis under Rule 19(a) and a }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 de novo }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 standard to its analysis under Rule 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Keweenaw Bay Indian Cmty. v. Mich., }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 11 F.3d 1341, 1346 (6th Cir. 1993). }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [53]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The First, Second, Third, Fifth, Eighth, Eleventh, and D.C. Circuits do not appear to have decided on a standard for a district court\rquote s determination under Rule 19(a) and apply an abuse of discretion standard to its determination under Rule 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Travelers Indem. Co. v. Dingwell}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 884 F.2d 629, 635 (1st Cir. 1989); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Jota v. Texaco, Inc}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 157 F.3d 153, 161}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 62 (2nd Cir. 1998); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Janney Montgomery Scott, Inc. v. Shepard Niles, Inc}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 11 F.3d 399, 403 (3rd Cir. 1993); }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Pulitzer}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Polster v. Pulitzer}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 784 F.2d 1305, 1309 (5th Cir. 1986); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 United States ex rel. Steele v. Turn Key Gaming}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Inc}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 135 F.3d 1249, 1251 (8th Cir. 1998); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Kickapoo Tribe of Indians v. Babbitt}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 43 F.3d 1491, 1495 (D.C. Cir.1995). }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [55]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The Seventh Circuit has expressly declined to adopt a standard of review at all.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thomas v. United States}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 189 F.3d 662, 666 (7th Cir. 1999).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [56]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We find that because Rule 19(a) and (b) inquiries are fact}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 specific and involve the exercise of discretion, the abuse of discretion standard of review will apply to a trial court\rquote s Rule 19(a) and (b) determinations. }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ,}{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 390 U.S. at 118 n.14.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [57]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In reviewing a trial court\rquote s decision on whether an absent party is indispensable, we }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 must consider \lquote whether the decision maker failed to consider a relevant factor, whether he [or she] relied on an improper factor, and whether the reasons given reasonably support the conclusion.\rquote }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rishell}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 94 F.3d at 1410 (quoting }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Kickapoo Tribe of Indians in Kansas v. Babbitt,}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 43 F.3d 1491, 1497 (D.C. Cir. 1995)).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Furthermore, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [t]he standards set out in Rule 19 for assessing whether an absent party is indispensable are to be applied }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in a practical and pragmatic but equitable manner.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . at 1411 (quoting }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Francis Oil & Gas, Inc. v. Exxon Corp., }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 661 F.2d 873, 878 (10th Cir. 1981)); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 see also}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 390 U.S. at 106}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 07.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We also take into consideration that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [t]he moving party has the burden of persuasion in arguing for dismissal.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Makah Indian Tribe v. Verity}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 910 F.2d 555, 558 (9th Cir. 1990).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 2.\tab Analysis}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab a.\tab Subsection (a)}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 10{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 10}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 The federal rule was completely amended in 1966, but such amendment \'93 was not intended as a change in principles. Rather, the Committee found that the old text was defective in its phrasing and did not point clearly to the proper basis of decision.\'94 }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Provident Tradesmens Bank & Trust Co. v. Patterson,}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 390 U.S. 102, 116 n.12 (1968) (internal quotation marks omitted). Thus, the 1966 version of the federal rule, which is virtually identical to Guam\rquote s rule, \'93 emphasizes the pragmatic consideration of the effects of the alternatives of proceeding or dismissing, the older version tended to emphasize classification of parties as \lquote }{\cs68\fs20\insrsid14578570 necessary\rquote }{\fs20\insrsid14578570 or \lquote }{\cs68\fs20\insrsid14578570 indispensable.\rquote \'94 }{\cs68\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Id.}{\cs68\fs20\insrsid14578570 }{\fs20\insrsid14578570 While the term \'93necessary party\'94 was removed from the language of section (a) (again, to reso lve confusion between terms \'93necessary party\'94 and \'93indispensable party\'94), many courts continue to use the term \'93necessary party\'94 in analyzing whether an absentee\rquote s presence in the case is required for just adjudication under subsection (a).}}}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab (1)\tab Persons who are needed for just adjudication}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [58]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Subsection (a) of Rule 19 sets forth the standards for determining whether an absent person shall be joined, if feasible.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 An absentee is needed for just adjudication when one of the following three circumstances exists: }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (1) in the person\rquote s absence complete relief cannot be accorded among those already parties, or (2) the person claims an interest relating to the subject of the action and is so situated that the disposition of the action in the person}{\insrsid6901438\charrsid1000777 \rquote }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 s absence may (I) as a practical matter impair or impede the person's ability to protect that interest, or (ii) leave any of the persons already parties subject to a substantial risk of incurring double, multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations by reason of the claimed interest.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [59]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Subsection (a)(1)}{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 An absentee\rquote s presence is required under subsection (a)(1) when }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 complete relief cannot be accorded among those already parties.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam R. Civ. P. 19(a)(1).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Under the express terms of the rule, the f ocus is on the relief between the parties to the present action, and not on the possibility of further litigation between a party and the absentee.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Morgan Guar. Trust Co. v. Martin}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 466 F.2d 593, 598 (7th Cir. 1972).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The trial court, in applying this factor, found: }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It is indisputable that any of the three types of relief requested by the Petitioners in their First Amended Petition will result in some, if not all, of the winning candidates being removed from the general election ballot.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 At the very leas t, the relief requested would subject all of the Republican nominees for the Guam legislature to removal, and for the other prayers, every candidate for every office would be removed from the general election ballot.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, the relief requested by the Petitioners could not be accorded among only the parties present . . . . }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 104 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [60]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In short, the trial court held that the absentees were necessary parties under section (a) because the relief requested would not only affect the pre sent parties, but also the absentees.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The problem with such holding is that subsection (a)(1) is not an inquiry into the effect of relief on the absentees.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rather, the rule focuses only on the present parties to the litigation.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rule 19(a)(1) (stating that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in the person\rquote s absence complete relief cannot be accorded among those already parties}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, the trial court erred in its application of subsection (a)(1) when it considered the effect of the relief on the nominees, who are persons outside of the present parties to the litigation.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Arkwright}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Boston Mfrs. Mut. Ins. Co. v. City of New York}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 762 F.2d 205, 209 (2nd Cir.1985) (stating that complete relief under Rule 19(a)(1) only refers to relief between those already parties to the suit; it does not refer to relief for the person sought to be joined).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Makah Indian Tribe}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 910 F.2d at 558 (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This [Rule 19(a)(1)] analysis is independent of the question whether relief is available to the absent party.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [61]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Contrary to the trial court\rquote s finding, in applying the subsection 19(a)(1) to the case }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 sub judice}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , we find that complete relief can be accorded between Petitioners and the Commission, who are the parties to the suit.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 That is, should judgment be handed down by the court, whether such relief is in favor of Petitioners or of the Commission, the relief will be complete as between the current parties, even if the absentees are not joined.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This is so, because if Petitioners\rquote requested relief is granted, it will solely be the duty of the Commission to cancel the primary election and conduct a new election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 If relief is granted to the Commission, the case will be dismissed and no further action is necessary.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See Hoblock v. Albany County Bd. of Elections}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ,341 F. Supp. 2d 169, 175(N.D.N.Y. 2004) (applying Rule 19 (a)(1) and finding that the court }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 is able to provide Plaintiff voters with complete relief (namely, ordering the Board to count the absentee votes) even if Plaintiff candidates are not joined as parties.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [62]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Subsection (a)(2)(I)}{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Under Rule 19(a)(2)(I), an absentee\rquote s presence is required for just adjudication when the absentee }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 claims an interest relating to the subject of the action,}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 and a disposition of the action, without the absentee, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 may (I) as a practical matter impair or impede the person \rquote s ability to protect that interest.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, our}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 inquiry with respect to subsection (a)(2)(I) is twofold:}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 first, what are the absentee\rquote s interests, if any; and second, as a practical matter, will a judgment impair or impede the absentee\rquote s ability to protect that interest.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The purpose of Rule 19(a)(2)(I) }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 is to protect the legitimate interests of absent parties . . . .}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 United States ex rel. Morongo Band of Mission Indians v. Rose}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 34 F.3d 901, 908 (9th Cir. 1994).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [63]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We recognize that with respect to the nature of an absentee\rquote s interest, some courts hold that such interest must be a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 legally protected interest.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. v. Treesdale, Inc}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 419 F.3d 216, 230 (3rd Cir. 2005);}{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Makah Indian Tribe}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 910 F.2d at 558(observing that under Rule 19(a)(2)(I), }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the court must determine whether the absent party has a }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 legally protected interest}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in the suit.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ); }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 United States v. San Juan Bay Marina}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 239 F.3d 400, 406 (1st Cir. 2001) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [A] party is necessary und er Rule 19(a) only if they claim a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 legally protected interest}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 relating to the subject matter of the action.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 see also}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moore\rquote s Federal Practice}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \'a7 19.03[3][b] (3rd ed. 2006) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This interest must be \lquote legally protected, not merely a financial interest or interest of convenience\rquote }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "} {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [64]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We also recognize, however, that other courts hold that the absentees need only }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 claim an interest}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in the subject matter of the litigation.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Davis}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 192 F.3d at 958}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (observing that the term }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 legally protected interest}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 as used by the Ninth Circuit should be construed to exclude only patently frivolous claims because }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rule 19, by its plain language, does not require the absent party to actually possess an interest; it only requires the movant to show that the absent party \lquote claims an interest relating to the subject of the action . . . . \rquote }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Lopez v. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hosp}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 97 F.R.D.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 24, 29 (C.D. Cal. 1983) (holding that the }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 interest}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 requirement is not limited to }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 legal}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 interest, but rather, interest is to be }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 determined from a practical perspective, not through the adoption of strict legal definitions and technicalities.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [65]}{\insrsid1000777 \tab }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moreover, some courts have held in various contexts that no vested right arises through the}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 mere nomination to office.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The court in }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Lahart v. Thompson}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 118 N.W. 398 (Iowa 1908), stated that:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The nomination at a primary election gives the person receiving it no vested interest in the office for which he is named or in any place upon the official ballot which may not be taken away by the . . . Legislature or [a] . . . body to whom the power has been delegated.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 at 398; }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 see also}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 State ex rel. Pecyk v. Greene}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 114 N.E.2d 922, 927 (Ohio Ct. App. 1953) (positing that because there is no vested right in public office, there can be no vested right in the mere nomination to such office).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It has been recognized, however, that a nominee has a vested property right to the nomination and its attendant statutory rights.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Texas Supreme Court in }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Taylor v. Nealon}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 120 S.W.2d 586 (Tex. 1938), has held:}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It is the settled law of this State that in a primary election the person receiving a majority of the votes on the face of the election returns is entitled to the nomination, together with all its attendant statutory rights, unless it can an d shall be finally adjudged otherwise by some tribunal authorized so to do. Also, such right is a valuable vested property right. . . .}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 at 587.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Cf. Rowe ex rel. Schwartz v. Lloyd}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 36 A.2d 317 (Pa. 1944) (recognizing that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [a]s to a nomination vote being a \lquote vested\rquote right, it is a right subject to reasonable regulations imposed by Legislature.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [66]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Turning to our Guam statutes, a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 nominee}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 is defined as }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 a candidate who has become }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 entitled}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 under the provisions of this Title [3] }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 to a place on the ballot}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3 GCA \'a7 1115 (2005) (emphasis added).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [67]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Pursuant to 3 GCA \'a7 16110 (2005), a person is }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 deemed nominated in a primary election}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 when such person }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 receives votes at least three (3) times greater than the required number of signatures needed for a p etition for candidacy for such election, or votes equal to four percent (4%) of the total number of persons who obtain ballots to vote in that primary election for all parties, whichever is less.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 11{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 11}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Moreover, 3 GCA \'a7 16404(a) and (b) (2005) provide, as to the gubernatorial and other offices: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (a) The Governor and Lieutenant Governor team receiving a plurality of votes cast for a partisan nomination shall be the party nominees. No Governor and Lieutenant Governor team running in the independent column sha ll be eligible for general election ballot placement unless such team receives at least twenty percent (20%) of the total combined votes cast for the winning teams seeking partisan nomination. \par }\pard \qj \fi360\li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid14578570 {\fs20\insrsid14578570 (b) The winner in all other primaries shall be the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes except that no candidate running in the independent column shall be eligible for general election ballot placement unless he receives votes equal to at lea st ten percent (10%) of the total number of the valid ballots cast for the office for which he is a candidate.}} }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [68]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In addition, when a primary election for a particular party is canceled pursuant to the provisions in 3 GCA \'a7 16108(a), then }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the Commissio n shall certify all candidates who qualified to appear on the ballots in such cancelled primary elections for placement on the general election ballot as candidates of their respective political parties for the general election}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 pursuant to 3 GCA \'a7 16108(b).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [69]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Thus, once the Commission declares the primary election results, and the votes garnered by a candidate meet the minimum votes required, such candidate is deemed }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 nominated}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 and has an interest in placement on the general election ballot.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In addition, pursuant to 3 GCA \'a7 16108, a candidate who qualified to appear on the ballot for the cancelled primary election is deemed }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 nominated}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 and similarly has an interest in placement on the general election ballot. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [70]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Moreover, pursuant to Chapters 12 and 16 of Title 3 GCA, the validity of the election results are subject to change by annulment or amendment through judicial review.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See supra}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , section B. (discussing Rule 12(b)(6)).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Because the court has the authority to change or annul the election results upon review, it may be argued that the right of a candidate to be deemed a }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 nominee}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 and therefore appear on the general election ballot does not vest until after the court has issued a judgment in an election contest, or until the time for filing a cont est has expired (in the case of no election contest being timely filed).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Such issue, we believe, goes to the merits of the underlying claim, and not to the court\rquote s assessment of the practical effect of prejudice on the claimed interest of the absent nominees for purposes of a Rule 19 analysis.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See Davis ex rel. Davis v. United States}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 343 F.3d 1282, 1292 (10th Cir. 2003) (stating, in response to plaintiff\rquote s argument that the }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 any prejudice to the [absentee] is not legally cognizable,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 that such an argument }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 goes to the merits of their claim, rather than the potential harm to [absentees]. . . .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [71]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In this case, the trial court was required to consider whether the absentee nominees }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 claim[] an interest relating to the subject of the action,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 and whether a disposition of the action, without the absentees, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 may (i) as a practical matter impair or impede [their] ability to protect that interest.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [72]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court made the following findings with respect to Rule 19(a)(2)(i):}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [The relief requested may result in] the winning candidates being removed from the general election ballot.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 At the very least, the relief requested would subject all of the Republican nominees for the Guam legislature to removal, and for the other prayers, every candidate for eve ry office would be removed from the general election ballot. . . . As for the second category of necessary parties, the Court finds that the nominees\rquote ability to protect their interests would be seriously impaired by the failure to join them as parties.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 W ere the Court to grant the relief requested by the Petitioners, the nominees would be bound by the Court\rquote s decision without ever having appeared before the Court.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 105 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [73]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court concluded that the absent nominees ha ve an interest in being placed on the general election ballot, and that their ability to protect such interest would be impaired by the failure to join them as parties to the underlying action.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We find no abuse of discretion in the trial court\rquote s application of Rule 19(a)(2)(i).12{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 12}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Petitioners argue that the interests of the absent nominees are advanced by the Commission and thus they suffer no prejudice. In order to determine whether an absentee\rquote s interests are \'93adequately represented,\'94 the courts must consider (1) \'93whether \lquote the interests of a present party to the suit are such that it will undoubtedly make all the absent party\rquote s arguments\rquote \'94; (2) \'93whether the existing party is \lquote capable of and willing to make the arguments\rquote \'94; and (3) \'93whether the absent party would \lquote offer any necessary elements to the proceedings\rquote that the present parties will neglect.\'94 }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Wash. v. Daley}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 173 F.3d 1158, 1167 (9th Cir. 1999) (quoting }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Shermoen v. United States}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 982 F.2d 1312, 1318 (9th Cir. 1992)). We are unable to make such determinations based on the limited record before us and as such, Petitioners\rquote argument fails. }}}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 For purposes of a Rule 19(a) analysis, we agree that the absent nominees have an interest, created by statute, to a placement on the general election ballot.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Because the underlying petition seeks, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 inter alia}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , to annul the primary election and its results, we find that the nominees have an interest in the subject of this litigation for purposes of Rule 19(a)(2)(i).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We also agree that a disposition of this case without the absent nominees may }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 as a practical matter}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 impair or impede such interests.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Because we find that the absent nominees possess a statutory interest, we need not at this time address the}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 nature of the interest that is required to be claimed by an absentee, under different circumstances, for purposes of a Rule 19 analysis.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [74]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Subsection (a)(2)(ii).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Under Rule 19(a)(2)(ii), the court must assess whether a disposition of the action without the absentees may leave }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 any of the persons already parties}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 subject to a substantial risk of incurring double, multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations by reason of the claimed interest}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 of the absentee.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (Emphasis added.)}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, the relevant inquiry under (a)(2)(ii) is whe ther joinder is necessary to avoid harm to any of the persons already parties, that is, the Petitioners and the Commission.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [75]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court, finding that (a)(2)(ii) applied under the facts of this case, held that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the result would leave the Petitioners and perhaps the Respondents open to subsequent suits from the nominees for injunctive relief or possible due process claims.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 105 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Contrary to this particular finding by the trial court, the court in its later assessment o f feasibility found that the parties cannot be joined in this case because of the running of the statute of limitations for bringing an action based on the primary election.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Because the statute of limitations has run, the risk that those already parties to this lawsuit \endash the Petitioners and the Commission \endash will incur multiple or inconsistent obligations, is greatly reduced.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Applying (a)(2)(ii) to the facts of this case, particularly in light of the statute of limitations found in Title 3 Chapters 12 and 16, we find that those already parties will not be subject to }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 a substantial risk of incurring double, multiple, or otherwise inconsistent obligations.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 105 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To the extent that the trial court held otherwise in applying (a)(2)(ii), we find error. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [76]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Notwithstanding the trial court\rquote s errors in applying Rule 19(a)(1) and (a)(2)(ii), the court properly applied Rule 19(a)(2)(i) when it held that the absent nominees had an interest to be placed on the general election ballot, and further found that the absent nominees\rquote ability to protect that interest may be impaired by a judgment rendered in their absence.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Satisfaction of just one of the above three tests is all that is required for an absent party to be considered }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 needed for just adjudication.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We therefore proceed to determine whether, under Rule 19(a), the joinder of the absent nominees is feasible.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (2)\tab Feasibility}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [77]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Pursuant to Rule 19(a), once an absentee is deemed a necessary party, the court shall order the joinder of such party }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 if feasible.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In this case, the trial court properly held that joinder of the absent nominees was not feasible because under Title 3 Chapters 12 and 16, such time for joinder in an election contest had expired.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [78]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court also correctly concluded that the relation}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 back doctrine is inapplicable under the facts of this case.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rule 15(c) of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure governs the relation}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 back doctrine, and states:}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Whenever the claim or defense asserted in the amende d pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading, the amendment relates back to the date of the original pleading. An amendment changing the party against whom a claim is asser t ed relates back if the foregoing provision is satisfied, and, within the period provided by law for commencing the action against the party to be brought in by amendment, that party (1) has received such notice of the institution of the action that the pa rty will not be prejudiced in maintaining a defense on the merits, and (2) knew or should have known that, but for a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party, the action would have been brought against the party.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam R. Civ. P. 15.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [79]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The first requirement for application of the relation}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 back doctrine is that }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the claim asserted in the amended complaint arises out of the same conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth in the original pleading.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This first requirement appears to be met.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [80]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The more difficult issues are whether the nominees in this case received notice of the institution of this action, and whether they knew or should have known that but for the mistake in the identity of the proper party, the action would have been brought against them. There is nothing in the record before us that would support a finding that the absent nominees had notice of the institution of the underlying lawsuit.13{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 13}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Furthermore, the laws with respect to constructive notice also do not apply t o allow for the joinder of the nominees to relate back to the time of the original filing of the underlying action. Constructive notice has been recognized by the federal courts, in applying the similar federal Rule 15(c), in four circumstances. First, constructive notice may exist where an authorized employee does not reject a summons naming a non-existent party. }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Pineda v. Almacenes Pitusa, Inc.}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 982 F. Supp. 88, 97 (D.}{\fs20\insrsid10711547 }{ \fs20\insrsid14578570 Puerto Rico 1997). Second, constructive notice may be found if the original complaint alleges that the new defendant committed the alleged acts and is an official of one of the original defendants. }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Daily v. Monte}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 26 F. Supp.2d 984, 987 (E.D. Mich. 1998). Third, the new defendant may be found to have constructive notice if he or she reta ins the same attorney as an original defendant and that attorney should have known that the new defendant would be added to the existing lawsuit.}{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Gleason v. McBride}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 869 F.2d 688, 693 (2nd Cir. 1989)).}{ \i\fs20\insrsid14578570 But see Manney v. Monroe}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 151 F. Supp.2d 976, 999 (N.D. Ill. 2001) (citing }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Woods v. Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. at Indianapolis}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 996 F.2d 880, 889, n.14 (7th Cir.1993) (wherein the Seventh Circuit Court noted that }{\cs68\fs20\insrsid14578570 relation}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 }{\cs68\fs20\insrsid14578570 back}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 is improper when all defendants, including the newly-added defendants, share the same counsel)). Finally, a court may find constructive notice if the original and newly named defendants share an \'93identity of interests.\'94 }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Hernandez Jimenez v. Calero Toledo}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 604 F.2d 99, 102 (1st Cir. 1979). The \'93identity of interests\'94 test applies only where the original and newly-named defendants are \'93 so closely related in business or other activities that it is fair to presume the added parties learned of the institution of the action shortly after it was commenced.\'94 }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Id.}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 at 102-03; }{ \i\fs20\insrsid14578570 see also Ayala Serrano v. Lebron Gonzalez}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 909 F.2d 12 (1st Cir. 1990) (recognizing the \'93identity of interests\'94 test in the First Circuit).}} Moreover, there is nothing in the record before us that would support a finding that the nominees knew or should have known that }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 but fo r a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the action would have been brought against them.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{ \insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [81]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab As previously stated, the trial court properly found that the relation}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 back doctrine does not apply.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 It follows then that because the stat ute of limitations bars the joinder of the nominees in this case, the trial court properly concluded that joinder of the absent nominees is not feasible.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 b.\tab Subsection (b)}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [82]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Where a court determines that an absentee is a necessary party, and that joinder of such party is not feasible under Rule 19(a), the court must then apply Rule 19(b) to }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 determine whether in equity and good conscience the action should proceed among the parties before it, or should be dismissed, the absent persons thus being regarded as indispensable.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam R. Civ. P. 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Simply stated, once the joinder of a necessary party is found not feasible, the court is then faced with two options: to proceed or dismiss.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 390 U.S. at 118 (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Assuming the existence of a person who should be joined if feasible, the only further question arises when joinder is not possible and the court must decide whether to dismiss or to proceed without him}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [83]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Subsection (b) involves a comprehensive inquiry of the facts of the litigation and the interests of all parties involved \endash the plaintiff, the defendant, absentee, the court, and the public.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The trial court must engage in meaningful analysis.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As stated by the Court in }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 :}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To use the familiar but confusing terminology, the decision to proceed is a decision that the absent person is merely \lquote necessary\rquote while the decision to dismiss is a decision that he is \lquote indispensable.\rquote The decision whether to dismiss (i.e., the decision whether the person missing is \lquote indispensable\rquote ) must be based on factors varying with the different cases, some such factors being substantive, some procedural, some compelling by themselves, and some subject to balancing against opposing interests. Rule 19 does not prevent the assertion of compelling substant ive interests; it merely commands the courts to examine each controversy to make certain that the interests really exist. To say that a court \lquote must\rquote dismiss in the absence of an indispensable party and that it \lquote cannot proceed\rquote without him puts the matter the wrong way around: }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 a court does not know whether a particular person is \lquote indispensable\rquote until it had examined the situation to determine whether it can proceed without him. }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 390 U.S. at 118}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 119 (emphasis added, footnote omitted).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \fi-2880\li2880\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin2880\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (1)\tab Indispensability factors}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [84]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Subsection (b) of Rule 19 delineates the four factors to be weighed in determining whether a necessary party is }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 indispensable,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 thus requiring dismissal:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Fi rst, to what extent a judgment rendered in the person's absence might be prejudicial to the person or those already parties; second, the extent to which, by protective provisions in the judgment, by the shaping of relief, or other measures, the prejudice can be lessened or avoided; third, whether a judgment rendered in the person's absence will be adequate; [and] fourth, whether the plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Guam R. Civ. P. 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [85]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In reviewing the trial court\rquote s Rule 19(b) determination, we are tasked to consider whether the trial court }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 failed to consider a relevant factor, whether [it] relied on an improper factor, and whether the reasons given reasonably support the conclusion.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rishell}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 94 F.3d at 1411.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We discuss each factor in turn.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (i) First Factor:}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To what extent might a judgment rendered in the nominees\rquote absence be prejudicial to the nominees or to those already parties?}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [86]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The express terms of this first factor call upon the trial court to assess the prejudicial effect that a judgment might have on both the absentees and the current parties.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The trial court found, with respect to the prejudicial effect on the nominees:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A ny judgment rendered in this case granting any of the relief requested by the Petitioners would not only overturn the nominations of the Republican candidates for the Guam legislature, but also the nominations of every winning candidate should the Court v oid the election as requested.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Court has been presented with no argument that the nominees would not be prejudiced by finding themselves bound by a decision restricting their right of access to the ballot less than one month before the general election , and the Court finds it impossible that these persons would not be substantially harmed by a decision to suddenly remove them from the ballot without giving them a chance to defend themselves. }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 106}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 07 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [87]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We find that the tri al court properly applied the first part of the first factor, that is, the assessment of the extent of prejudice to the absentees, when it found that the nominees\rquote interest is to be placed on the general election ballot, and that any judgment rendered without them in this case will be prejudicial to the nominees. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [88]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We next address the extent to which a judgment rendered without the nominees might be prejudicial to those already parties.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Under this prong of the first factor, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [t]he possible collateral consequences of the judgment upon the parties already joined are also to be appraised.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Fed. R. Civ. P. 19 Advisory Committee\rquote s Notes to the 1966 Amendment (further explaining that the court should ask:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Would any party be exposed to a fresh action by the absentee, and if so, how serious is the threat?}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 While this provision appears to overlap with the Rule 19(a)(2)(ii)\rquote s consideration of multiple or inconsistent judgments, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [t]his overlap on bases of inquiry should not mask the fact that the quality of the indispensability analysis is different.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moore\rquote s Federal Practice}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \'a7 19.05[2][a] (3rd ed. 2006)}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As explained in }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moore\rquote s}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 : }{ \insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Under the necessary party analysis, the court is concerned essentially with whether nonjoinder }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 could}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 have one of the adverse effects addressed by that Rule.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The basic possibility of such harm justifies joining the absentee.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In contrast, the indispensability analysis takes place when the court is faced with an absentee whose joinder cannot be secured.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The court is concerned with whether nonjoinder }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 actually will}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 result in the kind of prejudice hypothesized earlier, and if so, the severity of that harm.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (footnote omitted)}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [89]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In considering the extent to which a judgment rendered without the nominees might be prejudicial to th ose already parties, we find that because the time has expired under which to join the underlying lawsuit, the extent to which a judgment rendered without the absent nominees might prejudice the Petitioners and the Commission is minimal.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [90]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab While the tri al court properly considered the extent of prejudice to the absent nominees, the court failed to also consider and determine the extent to which a judgment rendered without the absent nominees might be prejudicial to the Petitioners and the Commission.14 {\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 14}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 We note that in its necessary party analysis under Rule 19(a)(2)(ii), the trial court found that \'93 the [relief requested] would leave the Petitioners and perhaps the Respondents open to subsequent suits from the nominees for injunctive relief or possible due process claims.\'94 ER at 105 (Decision and Order). Finding that the trial court erred in its application of subsection (a)(2)(ii), we stated in our analysis, }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 see supra}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , section 2.a.(1), discussing subsection (a)(2)(ii), that in light of the statute o f limitations found in Title 3 Chapters 12 and 16, that the risk of the parties incurring multiple or inconsistent obligations was therefore minimal. Moreover, while the considerations under subsection (a)(2)(ii) appear to overlap, the trial court in thi s case was required under subsection (b) to examine (or re-examine) the extent of the prejudice to the present parties if judgment were rendered without the absentees (along with all other factors in Rule 19(b)), in its determination of whether equity and good conscience required dismissal. }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 See, e.g., Kamhi v. Cohen}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 , 512 F.2d 1051, 1054 (2nd Cir. 1975) (observing that the Rule 19 analysis \'93 involves }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 a balancing of interests}{ \fs20\insrsid14578570 \endash those of the parties and of the outsider, those of the public and of the court in seeing that the litigation is both effective and expeditious, while taking into account \lquote equity and good conscience.\rquote \'94 ) (citation omitted); }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Provident, }{\fs20\insrsid14578570 390 U.S. at 119 (stating that a trial court \'93does not }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 know whether a particular person is \lquote }{\fs20\insrsid14578570 indispensable\rquote until it had examined the situation to determine whether it can proceed without him.\'94) (emphasis added).}} }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (ii)}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Second Factor:}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The extent to which, by protective provisions in the judgment, by the shaping of relief, or other measures, the prejudice can be lessened or avoided.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [91]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Assuming that the only prejudice that exists is the prejudice to the nominees, and based on the relief requested by the petitioners, it is doubtful that by protective provisions in the judgment, by the sh aping of relief, or other measures can lessen or avoid the prejudice to the nominees.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We therefore find that the trial court properly applied this factor when it held:}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This prejudice cannot be lessened or avoided, as the only relief requested by Petitioners is that which will directly affect these persons.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners seek no other outcome than to void the entire primary election or to remove the Republican candidates for the Guam legislature from the general election ballot, thus rendering any judgment which could be fashioned in an attempt to avoid involving the nominees completely ineffectual and inadequate.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 107 (Decision and Order).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As such, we concur with the trial court that this second factor weighs in favor of dismissal. }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (iii)}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Third Factor:}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Whether a judgment rendered in the person's absence will be adequate.}{\i\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777\charrsid12194375 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [92]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Whether a judgment will be }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 adequate}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 is a factor that considers the policy supporting efficient settlement of cases.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Such factor }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 calls attention to the extent of the relief that can be accorded among the parties joined.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Fed. R. Civ. P. 19 Advisory Committee\rquote s Notes to the 1966 Amendment.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As explained by the Supreme Court:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [T]here remains the interest of the courts and the public in complete, consistent, and efficient settlement of controversies. We read the Rule \rquote s third criterion, whether the judgment issued in the absence of the nonjoined person will be }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 adequate,}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 to refer to this }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 public stake in settling disputes by wholes}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , whenever possible, for clearly the plaint iff, who himself chose both the forum and the parties defendant, will not be heard to complain about the sufficiency of the relief obtainable against them. }{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 390 U.S. at 111 (emphasis added); }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 see also Davis}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 343 F.3d at 1293 (the concern underlying this factor is not the adequacy of judgment from the plaintiff\rquote s point of view but adequacy of }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 dispute resolution}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [93]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court failed to properly consider and apply this third factor.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 That is, nothing in its decision refers to whether a judgment issued in this case would be adequate, in light of the fact that this factor focuses on the public\rquote s interest in complete, consistent, and efficient settlement of controversies.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rather, the only discussion of adequacy by the trial court was its holding that: }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Petitioners seek no other outcome than to void the entire primary election or to remove the Republican candidates for the Guam legislature from the general election ballot, thus rendering any judgment which could be fashioned in an attempt to avoid involving the nominees completely ineffectual and inadequate.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ER at 107.}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [94]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The trial court\rquote s sole focus, again, was whether a judgment rendered could adequately protect the interests of the nominees.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The trial court failed to consider }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the public stake in settling disputes by wholes, whenever possible.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Provident}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 390 U.S. at 111.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The relevant inquiry is similar to the inquiries found in Rule 19(a)(1)\rquote s complete relief clause.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 See Moore\rquote s Federal Practice}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \'a7 19.05[4] (3rd ed. 2006) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The third factor in the indispensability analysis echoes the complete relief clause.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ); Jean F. Rydstrom, Annotation, }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Validity, construction, and application of Rule 19(b) of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended in 1966, providing for determination to be made by court to proceed with or dismiss action when joinder of person needed for just adjudication is not feasible}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 21 A.L.R. Fed. 12 \'a7 11[a] (2006) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This factor evokes the same considerations as to the interests of the public in avoiding repeated lawsuits as does clause (1) of Rule 19(a). . . . that is, the avoidance of partial or hollow rather than complete relief to the parties.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 To be sure, the public\rquote s interest in complete, consistent, and efficient settlement of disputes is advanced where judgment is unlikely to lead to further litigation and possible inconsistent judgments.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Cf. Davis}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 343 F.3d at 1292}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 1293 (finding that where a}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 judgment rendered without the absentee would }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 lead to further litigation and possible inconsistent judgments,}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 such judgment would not be adequate as defined by the third factor in Rule 19(b)). }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [95]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Applying this factor to the case at bar, we find it highly unlikely that any judgment rendered by the trial court could lead to further litigation and possible inconsi stent judgments.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The Petitioners seek, }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 inter alia}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , to annul the primary election.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Again, because the statute of limitations has run, there is a minimal risk of further litigation based on the subject matter of this case.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moreover, because of the nature of the relief requested by the Petitioners, it is just as unlikely that any of the present parties could be subject to inconsistent judgments.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Therefore, even without the participation of the absent nominees in this case, and regardless of whether judgmen t will be rendered in favor of the Petitioners or in favor of the Commission, a judgment rendered will bring forth complete and consistent relief \endash an }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 adequate judgment}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \endash as the phrase is used in Rule 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Universal Reinsurance Co., Ltd. v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co.} {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 312 F.3d 82, 88 (2nd. Cir. 2002) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Relief will also be \lquote adequate}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in the sense implied by Rule 19(b): [plaintiff] will be able to recover complete relief from [the defendants].}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Indeed, dismissal of a claim for an inability to join additional parties is not warranted where complete relief is available from a remaining party}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [96]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We therefore hold that Rule 19(b)\rquote s third factor, that is, whether a judgment rendered in the absence of the nominees would be adequate, weighs against dismissal.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 We further hold that the trial court failed to consider and properly apply the third factor in the Rule 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (iv)}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Fourth Factor:}{\i\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Whether the plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder}{\i\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\insrsid1000777\charrsid12194375 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [97]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab The fourth factor found in Rule 19(b) requires the trial court to consider }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 whether the plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rule 19(b).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the court is directed to examine the ramifications of dismissing the pending case.}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Moore\rquote s Federal Practice}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \'a7 19.05[5][a] (3d ed. 2006).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This factor goes hand}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 hand with the third factor above, and }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 reflects the societal and judicial interest in resolving disputes completely, efficiently, and consistently}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 .}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 As stated by Seventh Circuit in }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Pasco Intern. (London) Ltd. v. Stenograph Corp}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 637 F.2d 496, 500 (7th Cir. 1980):}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 A critical consideration under Rule 19(b) is the availability or unavailability of an alternative forum.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 If the plaintiff's complaint is dis missed and there is no other court having jurisdiction over the parties as well as over the absent person, the plaintiff's interest in having the federal forum would strongly influence a court to find that the absent person was not indispensable. }{ \insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [98]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab While the first three factors are considered defendant}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 oriented, this }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 last factor considers the case from the standpoint of Plaintiffs:}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 whether failure to go forward with the case will work a greater prejudice to Plaintiffs because an adequate remedy does not otherwise exist.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Bloch v. Sun Oil Corp}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 335 F. Supp. 190, 196 (W.D. Okl. 1971);}{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Levin v. Miss. River Corp.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 289 F. Supp. 353, 361 (S.D.N.Y. 1968) (}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The most relevant \lquote factors\rquote proposed by Rule 19(b) are whether a judgment rendered in the person\rquote s abs ence will be adequate and whether the plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the action is dismissed for nonjoinder.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ) (internal quotation marks and ellipses omitted); }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Anrig v. Ringsby United}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 603 F.2d 1319, 1326 (9th Cir. 1979) (similarly finding that the most important factors are that a judgment without the absentee will be adequate and whether plaintiff will have an adequate remedy if the case is dismissed for non}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 joinder).}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [99]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Collins v. General Motors Corp}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 ., 101 F.R.D. 1 (W.D. Pa. 1982), the court held that where there will be no other forum to bring plaintiff\rquote s claim, this alone was enough to deny dismissal on the grounds of Rule 19.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The court stated:}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, if the Court were to dismiss this action for failure to join [the absent party], [the plaintiff] would have no forum in which to pursue his claim against the [defendant].}{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This factor alone leads the Court to conclude that plaintiff's action against the government should not be dismissed.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . at 4.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Similarly, the court in }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Young v. United Steelworkers of America}{ \insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 49 F.R.D. 74}{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 (E.D.Pa.1969), assuming that an absent party\rquote s joinder was necessary, nonetheless allowed the case to proceed because such absent person could not }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 effectively be joined because the Statute of Limitations has run o n plaintiff's claim against it.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 at 75.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 The court stated further that }{ \insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 if the present action were to be dismissed for non}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 -}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 joinder of the employer, plaintiff would be left with no remedy, let alone an adequate remedy.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 . }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [100]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Bennie v. Pastor}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 393 F.2d 1 (10th Cir. 1968), the court found that the absent party who could not be located would be prejudiced, but nonetheless proceeded with the action because dismissal would }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 leave the plaintiffs without a remedy.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Id.}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 at 3; }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 see also}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 }{ \i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Gulf Ins. Co. v. Lane}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 53 F.R.D. 107, 111 (W.D. Okla. 1971) (holding that although the absent coadministrator was a necessary party, the fact that plaintiff had no other forum, and that the other coadministrator was a party, militated against dismissal).}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [101]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab In this ca se, we find that the trial court properly applied this last factor insofar as it found that the Petitioners had no other forum to raise the instant election challenges, and that this one factor weighed against dismissal.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 3.\tab Whether equity and good conscience require dismissal}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [104]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab Upon review for abuse of discretion, we must determine whether the trial court }{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 "}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 failed to consider a relevant factor, . . . relied on an improper factor, and whether the reasons given reasonably support the conclusion.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 " }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Rishell}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 94 F.3d at 1411 (quoting }{\i\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Kickapoo Tribe}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 , 43 F.3d at 1497).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 First, the trial court failed to properly consider and determine, under the first factor, whether the current parties would be prejudiced by a judgment without the absentees.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Second, the trial court failed to properly consider and apply the third factor, that is, whether a judgment rendered without the absent nominees would be adequate.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 In our application of these factors that the trial court failed to consider, we find that such factors weigh against dismissal.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Thus, contrary to what the trial court concluded, part of the first, and the third and fourth factors weigh against dismissal.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 This is troublesome in light of the case law that places emphasis on the very two factors that, in this case, weigh against dismissal: adequacy of the judgment without the absentees (focusing on the public\rquote s interest in complete resolution of cases) and whether plaintiff would be left without an adequate remedy.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Furthermore, we are unpersuaded by the cases ci ted by the trial court in support of its dismissal pursuant to Rule 19, as they do not address the interests and the factors delineated in Rule 19(b).}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Accordingly, we hold that in failing to consider relevant factors in its decision to dismiss pursuant to Rule 19(b), the trial court abused its discretion.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Upon a proper application of all the relevant factors in Rule 19(b), we conclude that equity and good conscience requires that the underlying action proceed without the absent nominees, and to this extent, we reverse.15{\footnote \pard\plain \qj \fi432\li0\ri0\sa240\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14578570 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\super\insrsid14578570 15}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Because of our holding with respect to the Rule 19 dismissal, we need not consider and discuss the public rights exception to joinder, as advocated by the Appellants. Nor do we decide whether, under the proper circumstances, we will ad opt such doctrine in the first instance. }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 See e.g.}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Moore\rquote s Federal Practice}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 \'a7 19.06[6] (3rd ed. 2006) (observing that the doctrine \'93 finds no support in the language of Rule 19, and has not enjoyed universal support\'94); }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 see generally}{\fs20\insrsid14578570 Carl Tobias, }{\i\fs20\insrsid14578570 Rule 19 and the Public Rights Exception to Party Joinder}{ \fs20\insrsid14578570 , 65 N.C. L. Rev. 745 (1987).}}}{\insrsid1000777 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12194375 {\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 V.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1000777 {\insrsid1000777 \par }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 [105]}{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 \tab We hold first, that Petitioners have statutory standing under 3 GCA \'a7 16501 to contest the Primary Election, and second, that 3 GCA \'a7 12115 provides the remedy sought by Petitioners.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Furthermore, we hold that the trial court erred}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 in failing to properly consider the relevant interests and factors required under Rule 19 of the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure before the dismissing the Petition.}{\insrsid1000777\charrsid1000777 }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 Accordingly, we }{ \b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 REVERSE }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the Decision and Order dismissing the petition, and }{\b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 REMAND }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 to the Superior Court with instructions to }{ \b\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 VACATE }{\insrsid14578570\charrsid1000777 the Final Judgment and conduct further proceeding}{\insrsid12194375 s consistent with this opinion.}{\insrsid1000777 \par }}