Overview of Guam’s Relationship with the US
Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands and has a population of approximately 168,000 people. Guam has been under US control since 1898, when it was acquired from Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris.
Guam’s relationship with the US is unique and complex. While it is considered part of the US, its political status is different from that of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Guam is not a state and does not have the same rights and privileges as states, nor does it have the same level of autonomy as other US territories such as Puerto Rico.
Guam’s Political Status
Guam’s political status is that of an unincorporated territory. This means that it is a part of the United States, but it is not an integral part of the country like the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Guam’s relationship with the US is governed by the Organic Act of Guam, which was passed by Congress in 1950.
Under the Organic Act, Guam is granted a measure of self-government and has its own elected officials, including a Governor and a territorial legislature. However, the US government retains control over certain areas, such as defense and foreign affairs. This political status has been a subject of debate and controversy, with some Guam residents advocating for statehood or independence.
The Organic Act of Guam
The Organic Act of Guam is a federal law that governs the relationship between Guam and the US government. It was passed by Congress in 1950 and established Guam as an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States.
The Organic Act granted a measure of self-government to Guam, including the establishment of a territorial government and the right to elect local officials, such as a Governor and a territorial legislature. However, it also gave the US government broad powers over Guam’s affairs, including control over defense, foreign affairs, and immigration.
The Organic Act has been amended several times over the years, most recently in 2011. However, some Guam residents have criticized the law as outdated and inadequate, calling for a new political status that would give the territory more autonomy and equal rights with the 50 states.
Voting Rights for Guam Residents
Guam residents are US citizens, but they do not have the same voting rights as citizens in the 50 states. While they can vote in presidential primaries and send a delegate to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, they cannot vote in the presidential election itself.
Guam residents are also not represented in Congress by a voting member. However, they do have a non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives who can participate in committee hearings, introduce legislation, and vote in committees.
Guam residents are eligible to vote in local elections, including for their Governor and territorial legislature. They are also eligible to vote in some federal elections, such as for the US President in primary elections, and for the non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives.
Presidential Elections and Guam
Guam is not eligible to participate in the US presidential election. It is not one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or a US territory that has been granted the right to vote for the President of the United States.
However, Guam residents do have the right to participate in presidential primaries as part of the Democratic and Republican parties. Guam sends a delegate to each party’s national convention, where they can participate in the selection of the party’s presidential nominee.
Guam’s role in presidential primaries is largely ceremonial, as the territory only has a small number of delegates compared to other states and territories. However, it is an important way for Guam residents to have a voice in the presidential election process.
Congressional Elections and Guam
Guam does not have a voting member of Congress, but it does have a non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives. The Delegate can participate in committee hearings, introduce legislation, and vote in committees, but cannot vote on the House floor.
Guam is also not represented in the US Senate. However, its residents can vote in primary elections for the US Senate, as well as for the non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives.
While Guam does not have its own senators or voting members of Congress, its residents can still participate in the election of members of Congress from other states and territories.
Guam’s Delegates to the US Congress
Guam has had a non-voting Delegate to the House of Representatives since 1972. The Delegate is elected to a two-year term and can participate in committee hearings, introduce legislation, and vote in committees, but cannot vote on the House floor.
The current Delegate to the House of Representatives from Guam is Michael F. Q. San Nicolas. He was elected in 2018 and is a member of the Democratic Party. The Delegate’s role is to advocate for Guam’s interests in Congress, and to work to secure federal funding and resources for the territory.
Guam has never had a voting member of Congress, despite efforts by some Guam residents to achieve statehood or greater autonomy.
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is a federal law that guarantees voting rights for US citizens who are overseas or serving in the military. Guam residents who meet the requirements of UOCAVA can vote in federal elections, including for the President and members of Congress.
Under UOCAVA, Guam residents who are overseas or in the military can vote absentee, either by mail or electronically. They must register to vote and request an absentee ballot in advance of the election, and must follow the specific rules and deadlines set by their state or territory.
UOCAVA is an important way for Guam residents who are overseas or in the military to have a voice in US elections, and to exercise their right to vote as US citizens.
Challenges to Guam’s Voting Rights
Guam’s political status and voting rights have been the subject of debate and controversy for many years. Some Guam residents argue that the territory should be granted statehood or independence, while others advocate for greater autonomy and equal rights with the 50 states.
Guam’s lack of voting rights in presidential elections has also been criticized as unfair and undemocratic. Some have called for a constitutional amendment to grant voting rights to US territories and the District of Columbia.
Despite these challenges, Guam residents continue to participate in US elections to the extent that they are able, and to advocate for their voting rights and political status.
Guam’s Relationship with the National Parties
Guam residents are eligible to participate in the presidential primaries of the Democratic and Republican parties. The parties have established their own rules for Guam’s participation in the primaries, including the number of delegates allocated to the territory.
The Democratic Party has a larger presence in Guam than the Republican Party, with a territorial committee and regular party meetings. The Republican Party also has a territorial committee, but has struggled to gain a foothold in Guam politics.
Guam residents who are members of either party have the opportunity to participate in the selection of the party’s presidential nominee, and to help shape the party’s platform and policies.
Advocacy for Guam’s Voting Rights
Guam residents and political leaders have long advocated for greater voting rights and autonomy for the territory. Some have called for statehood or independence, while others have pushed for a new political status that would grant equal rights and representation in Congress.
Guam’s lack of voting rights in presidential elections has been a particular area of concern. Some have suggested solutions such as a constitutional amendment, while others have proposed more incremental changes, such as granting voting rights in the presidential primaries to all US territories and the District of Columbia.
Advocacy groups such as the Guam Citizens for Public Accountability and the Guamanians for Fair Representation have been active in promoting voting rights and political equality for Guam residents.
The Future of Guam’s Participation in US Elections
The future of Guam’s participation in US elections is uncertain, and will likely depend on the outcome of ongoing political debates and advocacy efforts. Some Guam residents will continue to push for statehood or independence, while others will seek a new political status that grants greater autonomy and representation in Congress.
The issue of voting rights for Guam residents in presidential elections is also likely to remain a topic of discussion and controversy. There may be opportunities to expand voting rights through creative solutions such as constitutional amendments or changes to party rules.
Despite these challenges, Guam residents will continue to participate in US elections to the extent that they are able, and to advocate for their right to have a voice in the political process as US citizens.
