Currently, the United States holds jurisdiction over 14 territories. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a territory is “an area of land that belongs to or is controlled by a government” or one of the parts of the United States that is not a state. These territories include regions like American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and various others. Being a colony also means that the citizens or habitants of these regions do not enjoy all the rights that the residents of the 50 states are entitled to, specifically voting rights. In order to fully grasp the severity of this problem, we will examine the voting process of these regions individually.
First, the region of the Northern Mariana Islands …show more content…
This island enjoys the right of self-government, but is associated with the United States and also holds the title of commonwealth. This title was given to the island as a means to begin the decolonization process, but has been left unaltered. The residents elect Puerto Rico’s local government every election season. Its governmental structure is identical to that of the United States, both systems include the three basic branches of government, the executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The governor who is voted in every four years runs the executive branch. The judicial branch is composed by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and their chain of lower courts. In addition the island serves as a district of the United States Federal Court System. Finally, the legislative branch consists of the Senate and the House of representatives, which are also elected every four years. Puerto Rico participates in the Republican and Democratic Party primaries but revoked the right to vote for the decisive elections for president and vice president. Also, this commonwealth does not have a representative in the United States House of Representatives, but has a non-voting Resident Commissioner. The residents vote for this position every 4 …show more content…
Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States and is home to very important strategic military bases. Like the other territories, Guam is a presidential democracy. In other words it is a self-governed region, but the US government makes the last decision. Its general governmental system is modeled on the US system. Therefore, it incorporates the three general branches, but with certain differences from that of the mainland’s government. Its legislative branch includes an Unicameral Legislature instead of a bicameral legislature. Also, its main leaders are the governor and the lieutenant governor. In relation to the legislative branch, Guam elects a delegate to participate in the US House of Representatives. These delegates can vote when they are a part of a committee, but are not allowed to do so when “full floor” House vote is taken. Again, this territory is allowed to vote of the Democratic and Republican Party primaries, but is not permitted to vote in the final
First, the region of the Northern Mariana Islands …show more content…
This island enjoys the right of self-government, but is associated with the United States and also holds the title of commonwealth. This title was given to the island as a means to begin the decolonization process, but has been left unaltered. The residents elect Puerto Rico’s local government every election season. Its governmental structure is identical to that of the United States, both systems include the three basic branches of government, the executive, judicial, and legislative branch. The governor who is voted in every four years runs the executive branch. The judicial branch is composed by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and their chain of lower courts. In addition the island serves as a district of the United States Federal Court System. Finally, the legislative branch consists of the Senate and the House of representatives, which are also elected every four years. Puerto Rico participates in the Republican and Democratic Party primaries but revoked the right to vote for the decisive elections for president and vice president. Also, this commonwealth does not have a representative in the United States House of Representatives, but has a non-voting Resident Commissioner. The residents vote for this position every 4 …show more content…
Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States and is home to very important strategic military bases. Like the other territories, Guam is a presidential democracy. In other words it is a self-governed region, but the US government makes the last decision. Its general governmental system is modeled on the US system. Therefore, it incorporates the three general branches, but with certain differences from that of the mainland’s government. Its legislative branch includes an Unicameral Legislature instead of a bicameral legislature. Also, its main leaders are the governor and the lieutenant governor. In relation to the legislative branch, Guam elects a delegate to participate in the US House of Representatives. These delegates can vote when they are a part of a committee, but are not allowed to do so when “full floor” House vote is taken. Again, this territory is allowed to vote of the Democratic and Republican Party primaries, but is not permitted to vote in the final