Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands

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Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands

Constitution and law

* United States Constitution

* Northern Mariana Islands Constitution

* Law of the Northern Mariana Islands

Executive

* Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
* Arnold Palacios (Independent)

* Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
* David M. Apatang (Independent)

Legislature

* Northern Mariana Islands Senate
* President
* Edith DeLeon Guerrero (Democratic)

* Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives
* Speaker
* Edmund Villagomez (Independent)

Elections

* Northern Mariana Islands General Elections:
* 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024

* U.S. Congressional Elections:
* 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024

Political parties

* Political party strength

* Democratic Party
* Republican Party

Federal delegation

* United States House Delegate
* Gregorio Sablan (Democratic)

* Politics of the United States
* Politics portal

* v
* t
* e

Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic system, whereby the Governor is head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. The Northern Mariana Islands is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and in a political union with it in the form of a commonwealth. Executive power is exercised by the governor. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the legislature. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Local government is carried out through four regional mayors.

The Northern Mariana Islands and the United States of America reached a Covenant Agreement which became fully effective on November 4, 1986. The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands became effective on January 1, 1978.

## Executive branch

[edit]

Main office-holders  Office  | Name  | Party  | Since

|
|
|

Governor | Arnold Indalecio Palacios | Independent | January 9, 2023
Lieutenant Governor | David Mundo Apatang | Independent | January 9, 2023

### Department Level Cabinet Positions

[edit]

Department | Head | Political Party | Tenure

|
|
|

Department of Finance | Secretary David DLG. Atalig[1][2] |  |
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs | Secretary Robert Hunter[1] |  |
Department of Labor | Secretary Vicky Benavente[1] |  |
Department of Lands and Natural Resources | Secretary Anthony T. Benavente[1] |  |
Department of Commerce | Secretary Mark O. Rabauliman[1] |  |
Department of Corrections | Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas[2] |  |
Office of Planning and Development | Secretary James Ada[1] | Republican Party |
Department of Public Safety | Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero[1] |  |
Office of the Attorney General | Attorney General Joey San Nicolas |  | 2012
Department of Public Lands | Secretary Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo[1] |  |
Office of the Public Defender | Public Defender Doug Hartig[1] |  |

### Sub-cabinet level divisions and offices

[edit]

Office or division | Head | Political Party | Tenure

|
|
|

Administrative Office | Special Assistant for Administration Mathilda A. Rosario[1] |  |
Public Information and Protocol Office | Press Secretary Kevin Bautista[1] |  |
Liaison Office |  |  |
Programs and Legislative Review Office | Special Assistant Victoria Guerrero |  |

## Legislative branch

[edit]

The Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 20 members, elected for a two-year term from seven districts. The Senate has 9 members, elected for a four-year term in two staggered classes.

Prior to January 2009, the Commonwealth maintained an elected "Resident Representative" in Washington, DC. As authorized by Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 110–229 (text) (PDF), the Commonwealth now elects a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. Congress, similar to other U.S. insular areas. The first election was held on November 4, 2008.

## Political parties and elections

[edit]

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

## Judicial branch

[edit]

Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court

## Federal representation

[edit]

In November 2008, the Northern Mariana Islands held its first election for a delegate to the United States Congress. Gregorio "Kilili" Sablan won the election, and began his term of office in January 2009.[3] The delegate serves as a member to some House committees and may vote in those committees, but the delegate is not permitted to vote on bills up for vote among all members of the House.

## International organization participation

[edit]

* United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (associate)
* INTERPOL (subbureau)
* Pacific Community

## Political culture

[edit]

Historically the Northern Mariana Islands have been subject to the colonizing powers of Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States under a United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Agreement. Each power contributed elements that mixed with local indigenous cultures to form the current political culture of the Northern Mariana Islands.[citation needed]

United States citizenship was granted in 1986. Politics in the Northern Mariana Islands is often "more a function of family relationships and personal loyalties" where the size of one's extended family is more important than a candidate's personal qualifications. Both scholarly works and the authors of the controversial website Saipansucks.com charge that this is nepotism carried out within the trappings of democracy.[4][5][page needed]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Current Cabinet". Office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
2. ^ a b "Executive Directory". Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
3. ^ Donato, Agnes E. (November 19, 2008). "Absentee votes confirm Kilili victory". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012.
4. ^ Ellis, Jimmie L. (2004). Total resource sharing among collegiate and public libraries in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: A narrative case study (Thesis).
5. ^ "Saipan Tribune". Archived from the original on 2006-10-25.

* v
* t
* e

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Saipan (capital)

Topics|

* Archipelago
* Geography
* Politics
* Economy
* Per capita income
* Campaign

Geography|

| Islands|

* Agrihan (Agrigan)
* Aguijan
* Alamagan
* Anatahan
* Asuncion
* Farallon de Medinilla
* Farallon de Pajaros (Urracas)
* Guguan
* Mañagaha
* Maug Islands (Ma'ok)
* Pagan
* Rota (Luta)
* Saipan
* Sarigan
* Tinian
* Zealandia Bank

|

Other|

* Mount Tapochau
* Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

Municipalities|

* Northern Islands
* Rota
* Saipan
* Tinian

Settlements|

| Saipan|

* Afetnas
* Achugao
* As Lito
* As Matuis
* As Perdido
* As Teo
* As Terlaje
* Capitol Hill
* Chalan Kanoa
* Chalan Kiya
* Chalan Laulau
* Chalan Piao
* China Town
* Dandan
* Fina Sisu
* Garapan
* Gualo Rai
* Kagman
* Kannat Tabla
* Koblerville
* Lower Base
* Marpi
* Navy Hill
* Oleai (San Jose)
* Papago
* Sadog Tasi
* San Antonio
* San Roque
* San Vicente
* Susupe
* Tanapag

|

Rota|

* Sinapalo
* Songsong

Tinian|

* Carolinas Heights
* Marpo Heights
* Marpo Heights II
* Marpo Valley
* San Jose

Education|

| K-12|

* CNMIPSS
* Kagman HS (Saipan)
* Marianas HS (Saipan)
* Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr-Sr HS (Rota)
* Saipan Southern HS
* Tinian M-HS
* Saipan International
* Marianas Baptist Academy
* Mount Carmel
* Grace Christian Academy

|

Other|

* Northern Marianas College
* State Library

Transportation|

* Saipan International Airport
* Rota International Airport
* Tinian International Airport

Landmarks|

| NRHP listings|

| Saipan|

* Banzai Cliff
* Campaneyan Kristo Rai
* Chalan Galaide
* Hachiman Jinja
* Isley Field
* Japanese 20mm Cannon Blockhouse
* Japanese Hospital
* Japanese Jail Historic and Archeological District
* Japanese Lighthouse
* Landing Beaches; Aslito/Isely Field; & Marpi Point
* Laulau Kattan Latte Site
* Mañagaha
* Suicide Cliff (Laderan Banadero)
* Tachognya
* Unai Achugao Archaeological Site
* Unai Lagua Japanese Defense Pillbox
* Unai Obyan Latte Site
* Waherak Maihar

|

Rota|

* Chudang Palii Japanese WWII Defensive Complex
* Chugai' Pictograph Site
* Commissioner's Office
* Dugi Archeological Site
* Japanese Coastal Defense Gun
* Japanese Hospital
* Mochong
* Nanyo Kohatsu Kabushiki Kaisha Sugar Mill
* Rectory
* Rota Latte Stone Quarry

Tinian|

* House of Taga
* Nanyo Kohatsu Kabushiki Kaisha complex
* North Field
* Unai Dangkulo Petroglyph Site

Religious Sites|

* Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral
* Saipan Katori Shrine

Media|

* Marianas Variety
* Saipan Tribune
* Radio stations
* Television stations

Museums and History|

* NMI Museum of History and Culture
* Sugar King Park
* Sugar Dock (Saipan)
* Garapan Heritage Trail
* Battle of Saipan
* Battle of Tinian
* Naval Base Saipan
* Tinian Naval Base

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Federal district|

Washington, D.C.

Territories|

* American Samoa
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* Pitcairn Islands
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*[Pub. L.]: Public Law (United States)