Guam - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Guam, it was the native Chamorro name for the island, Guahan (meaning "we have"), was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, when Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US. The Government system in this country is the unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none (territory of the US)
National symbols
Coconut tree.
The flag
The National flag of Guam has territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, a proa (outrigger canoe with sail), and a palm tree; the word GUAM in red is centered in the ellipse; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Puntan Dos Amantes in the background; the central emblem is shaped like a Chamorro sling stone, a weapon for defense or hunting; blue stands for the sea and red for the blood shed in the fight against oppression.
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note: the US flag is the national flag
The National Anthem
| Title | "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN |
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note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States)
More about the government of Guam
| Date of Independence | none (territory of the US) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521) |
| Legal system | common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply |
| International law organization participation | |
| Constitution | |
| History | Effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution) |
| Citizenship | |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) |
| Head of government | Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature |
| Elections/appointments | president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president, but they can vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms) |
| Most recent election date | gubernatorial: 8 November 2022 |
| Election results | 2022: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO reelected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 55%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 44%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor 2018: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO elected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 50.7%, Ray TENORIO (Republican Party) 26.4%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor |
| Expected date of next election | gubernatorial: 3 November 2026 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Legislature of Guam (Liheslaturan Guahan) |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 15 (directly elected) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 2 years |
| Most recent election date | 11/8/2022 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | Democratic Party (9); Republican Party (6) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 40% |
| Expected date of next election | November 2024 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life but subject to retention election every 10 years |
| Subordinate courts | Superior Court of Guam (includes several divisions); US Federal District Court for the District of Guam (a US territorial court; appeals beyond this court are heard before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Embassy | None (territory of the US) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Guam
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Guam
Want to know more about Guam? Check all different factbooks for Guam below.
