Democratic fight heads to Pacific with Guam count

By Maureen Maratita

HAGATNA, Guam (Reuters) - Counting in Guam's Democratic primary stretched into Sunday after residents of the tiny U.S. territory turned out in record numbers to choose between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"It's a huge turnout compared to previous elections," Herbie Perez, chairman of the party's nominating committee, told Reuters.

The final result is not expected until around 3 a.m. (6 p.m. British time).

With only four electoral votes at the Democratic convention at stake, the contest on Guam, a Pacific island more than 20 hours by plane from Washington, will barely register in the protracted duel for the party's presidential ticket.

Democratic officials estimate well over 5,000 people voted in Saturday's election. During the last primary in 2004 only 1,500 people took part.

Counting at Guam's legislature was being done by hand and, so far, more than 300 ballots have been tallied with more than 200 for Obama.

"I'm dead tired but my mind is awake," said Derrick Muna Quinata, a car salesman who was waiting for counting to finish. The 28-year-old said he had voted for Obama.

Guam's residents cannot vote in the presidential election but the territory, which is less than a fifth of the size of the smallest U.S. state of Rhode Island, sends eight delegates with half a vote each to the Democratic convention in August.