Northern Mariana Islands - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Northern Mariana Islands, it was formally claimed and named by Spain in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria. The Government system in this country is the a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
National symbols

Latte stone; national colors: blue, white.

The flag
The National flag of Northern Mariana Islands has blue with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone (the traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a mwáár or head lei (wreath); blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the Chamorro latte stone and the Carolinian mwáár (head lei) represent elements of Marianas culture; the mwáár is composed of the flowers from four flowering plants: flores mayo (Plumeria), ylang-ylang or langilang (Cananga odorata), angagha or peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), and teibwo or Pacific basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum).
The National Anthem
Title "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)
Lyric/music Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN
More about the government of Northern Mariana Islands
Date of Independence none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Legal system the laws of the US apply, except for customs and some aspects of taxation
International law organization participation
Constitution
History Partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement)
Amendments Proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote; amended several times, last in 2012
Citizenship
Executive Branch
Chief of state President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021)
Head of government Governor Arnold PALACIOS (since 9 January 2023)
Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
Elections/appointments president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; election last held on 8 November 2022 with a runoff held on 25 November 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
Election results
2022: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor

2018: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (Independent) 37.8%;  Arnold PALACIOS elected Lieutenant Governor
Legislative branch
Description Bicameral Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature consists of:
Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

House of Representatives (20 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms)

the Northern Mariana Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term
Elections CNMI Senate - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)

CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)
Election results CNMI Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 6, independent 3; composition - men 6, women 3, percentage women 33.3%

CNMI House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 9, Democrat Party 8, independent 3; composition - men 17, women 3, percentage women 15%; total Commonwealth Legislature percentage women 20.7%

Northern Mariana Islands delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by independent; composition - 1 man
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge); note - US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court
Judge selection and term of office CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular election; US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate; judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms
Subordinate courts Superior Court
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy None (commonwealth in political union with the US)       
Key Political parties and their leaders in Northern Mariana Islands
    • International organization participation
  • PIF (observer)
  • SPC
  • UPU
    • All Important Facts about Northern Mariana Islands

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    Northern Mariana Islands is found in Micronesia