1963 Northern Mariana Islands integration referendum
An unofficial referendum on integration with Guam was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 27 October 1963.[1] Although the proposal was approved by voters,[1] the islands were not integrated.
Background
Previous referendums in 1958 and 1961 had been in favor of integration. Both the Guam Legislature and Saipan Congress had passed resolutions requesting reunification.[2] The 1963 referendum was organized by the local Parliament as members wanted the islands to integrate with Guam, and was timed to coincide with the 1964 visit of a United Nations commission looking at the status of the UN Trust Territories.[1][2]
Results
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integration with Guam | 1,231 | 96.78 | |
| Remain a territory | 32 | 2.52 | |
| Independence | 9 | 0.71 | |
| Total | 1,272 | 100.00 | |
| Valid votes | 1,272 | 98.91 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 14 | 1.09 | |
| Total votes | 1,286 | 100.00 | |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,015 | 42.65 | |
| Source: Direct Democracy | |||
Aftermath
The results were presented to the mission, with the mission's report responding that secession from a UN Trust Territory was not possible "and should be regarded as firmly settled".[2]
References
- ^ a b c Northern Mariana Islands, 27 October 1963: Status Direct Democracy (in German)
- ^ a b c "History of Efforts to Reunify the Mariana Islands". Guampedia. 21 August 2013.