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

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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

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Choice Votes %
Integration with Guam 1,231 96.78
Other status 32 2.51
Independence 9 0.71
Invalid/blank votes 14
Total 1,272 100
Registered voters/turnout 3,015 42.65
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

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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

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  1. ^ a b c Northern Mariana Islands, 27 October 1963: Status Direct Democracy (in German)
  2. ^ a b c "History of Efforts to Reunify the Mariana Islands". Guampedia.