A referendum on becoming a US commonwealth was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 17 June 1975.[1] The proposal was approved by 79% of voters.[1] As a result, the United States Congress approved the change of status on 24 March 1976.[1]
Background
editFour previous referendums on either integration with Guam or the islands' status had been held in 1958, 1961, 1963 and 1969. On each occasion a majority of Northern Mariana Islands voters had been in favor of integration with Guam, but Guamanian voters rejected integration in a 1969 referendum.
On 20 February 1975 the Northern Marianas' District Legislature put forward proposals to become a US commonwealth.[1] A threshold of 55% in favor was set in order for the referendum to pass.[1]
Results
edit| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 3,945 | 78.82 |
| Against | 1,060 | 21.18 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 4 | – |
| Total | 5,009 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 5,379 | 93.12 |
| Source: Direct Democracy | ||