Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Northern Mariana Islands

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Northern Mariana Islands.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature
Administrative Divisions: none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order; Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
Legal System: based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Citizenship: see United States
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN of the US (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021) head of government: Governor Arnold I. PALACIOS (since 9 January 2023); Lieutenant Governor David M. APATANG (since 9 January 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Arnold I. PALACIOS elected governor; percent of vote in runoff election - Arnold I. PALACIOS (Republican Party) 52.3%, Ralph DLG. TORRES (Republican Party) 47.7%
Legislative Branch: bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November 2007) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 2, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 7, Republican Party 7, Democratic Party 2, independent 2 note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or “resident representative” located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)
Judicial Branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political Parties: Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [leader NA]; Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]
Head of State: President Barack H. OBAMA
Head of Government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL
Cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members include Special Assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor
Elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 November 2009 (run-off election was held on 23 November 2009)
Election Results: percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL reelected with 51.4% over Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (48.6%) in the run-off election held on 23 November 2009
Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978
Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National Holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
International Organization Participation: Interpol (subbureau)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Saipan
Location: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
Time Difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
History: the entire island of Saipan is organized as a single municipality and serves as the capital; according to legend, when the first native voyagers arrived in their outrigger canoes they found an uninhabited island; to them it was like an empty voyage, so they named the island saay meaning "a voyage," and peel meaning "empty"; over time Saaypeel - "island of the empty voyage" - became Saipan

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath The blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, which surrounds the island with love and peace. The star represents the Commonwealth. The stone symbolizes the culture of the Chamorro people. The curcular head wreath made from 4 flowers (ylang-ylang, seyur, ang'gha and teibwo) is a symbol of the indigenous Carolinian culture.
Date of Adoption: 1995

National Anthem

Anthem History: territory of United States

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