Northern Mariana Islands - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Northern Mariana Islands, it was Spain named the islands 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); no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 4 municipalities are considered second-order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
National symbols

Latte stone.

The flag
The National flag of Northern Mariana Islands has .
The National Anthem
Title
Lyric/music
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)
Amendment process 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
Citizenship
Executive Branch
Chief of state President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
Head of government Governor David M. APATANG (since 24 July 2025)
Cabinet Sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday, 24 July 2025
Election/appointment process 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
Most recent election date 8 November 2022, with a runoff held on 25 November 2022
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 in second round - 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
Expected date of next election 2026
Legislative branch
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)
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