Politics of Guam

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Politics of Guam" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Politics of Guam

* Government of Guam
* Organic Act
* Governor
* Lou Leon Guerrero
* Lieutenant Governor
* Josh Tenorio
* Legislature
* Political parties
* Political party strength
* Elections
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* Populated places

* Politics of the United States
* Politics portal

* v
* t
* e

Guam is a two-party presidential representative democracy, in which the Governor is the head of government. Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States, with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs. Guam is also listed on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories.

## Background

[edit]

The economic situation in Guam is currently dependent on the significant U.S. military presence there. Its status as a tourist destination for Japanese, Singaporeans and South Koreans also contributes to Guam's economy. It has also emerged as a destination for economic migrants from the Philippines working at lower-wage jobs in the hospitality industry.

## Debate over political status

[edit]

Maintenance of the status quo vis-à-vis the current political relationship between the territory and the United States is controversial. There is a significant movement in favor of the Territory becoming a commonwealth, which would give it a political status similar to Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Competing movements exist, which advocate political independence from the United States, statehood, or a combination with the Northern Mariana Islands as a single territory (not necessarily commonwealth). Therese M. Terlaje, Speaker of the Legislature of Guam, indicated support in 2018 for holding a plebiscite to allow Guamians to vote for their favored political status.[1]

These proposals, however, are not seen as favorable by the U.S. federal government, which argues Guam does not have the financial stability or self-sufficiency to warrant such status. They cite Guam's increasing reliance on Federal spending as evidence, and question how commonwealth status or statehood would benefit the United States as a whole.[2]

A portion of the people on Guam favors a modified version of the current Territorial status, involving greater autonomy from the federal government (similar to the autonomy of individual States). Perceived indifference by the U.S. Congress regarding a change-of-status petition submitted by Guam has led many to feel that the territory is being deprived of the benefits of a more equitable union with the United States.[citation needed]

## Past referenda on political status

[edit]

### January 1982 status referendum

[edit]

Main article: January 1982 Guamanian status referendum

In January 1982, a referendum on Guam's status was held, with a 49.49% plurality of voters favoring commonwealth status, with 25.65% favoring statehood, the second most popular option. 10.19% said they supported the status quo, while 5.40% supported U.S. incorporated territory status. 3.9% of voters favored a free association agreement with the U.S., while independence was the least popular option, garnering 3.82% support.

### September 1982 status referendum

[edit]

Main article: September 1982 Guamanian status referendum

A second referendum with the two most popular options in the original vote (commonwealth status and statehood) was held in September 1982. By a 72.82% to 27.18% margin, Guamanians voted in favor of commonwealth status over statehood. However, Guam has not received commonwealth status, and remains an unincorporated territory.

### Future referenda

[edit]

In 2000, the Guam Legislature authorized the creation of a non-binding vote to allow native inhabitants of Guam to cast their votes in favor of statehood, a free association agreement, or outright independence from the United States. In 2017, Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood declared the proposal unconstitutional under the 15th Amendment.[3]

## Political parties and elections

[edit]

For other political parties, see List of political parties in Guam. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Guam.

## See also

[edit]

* Political party strength in Guam

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Letman, Jon (November 17, 2018). "Historic Wave of Women Candidates Sweep to Power on Guam". Truthout. Retrieved December 31, 2023. "Terlaje sees achieving self-determination an urgent mandate, calling educating the public for a plebiscite "our biggest challenge, our most immediate challenge and one that we can actually accomplish. It's a goal that we can meet in two years, I think," expressing confidence that newly elected officials will fulfill promises to make a plebiscite a priority."
2. ^ "Guam in Washington, 1972-Present: The Overlooked Strategic Implications of Congressional Polarization". Journal of Public and International Affairs. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
3. ^ Limtiaco, Steve (March 8, 2023). "Guam back to the drawing board on political status vote". guampdn.com. Retrieved December 31, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Guam Residents Organize Against US Plans for $15B Military Buildup on Pacific Island \- video report by Democracy Now!

* v
* t
* e

Politics of the United States by polity

States|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

Federal district|

Washington, D.C.

Territories|

* American Samoa
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Puerto Rico
* U.S. Virgin Islands

* v
* t
* e

Politics of Oceania

Sovereign states|

* Australia
* Federated States of Micronesia
* Fiji
* Kiribati
* Marshall Islands
* Nauru
* New Zealand
* Palau
* Papua New Guinea
* Samoa
* Solomon Islands
* Tonga
* Tuvalu
* Vanuatu

Associated states
of New Zealand|

* Cook Islands
* Niue

Dependencies
and other territories|

* American Samoa
* Christmas Island
* Clipperton Island
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands
* Easter Island
* French Polynesia
* Guam
* Hawaii
* New Caledonia
* Norfolk Island
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Pitcairn Islands
* Tokelau
* Wallis and Futuna

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template