1975 Northern Mariana Islands status referendum

Ballot measure in the Northern Mariana Islands A referendum on becoming a US commonwealth was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 17 June 1975.Northern Mariana Islands, 17 June 1975: Commonwealth with the USA Direct Democracy de The proposal was approved by 79% of voters. As a result, the United States Congress approved the change of status on 24 March 1976. Background Four previous referendums on either integration with Guam or the islands' status had been held in 1958, 1961, 1963 and 1969. On each occasion a majority of Northern Mariana Islands voters had been in favor of integration with Guam, but Guamanian voters rejected integration in a 1969 referendum. On 20 February 1975 the Northern Marianas' District Legislature put forward proposals to become a US commonwealth. A threshold of 55% in favor was set in order for the referendum to pass. Results ChoiceVotes%For3,94578.82Against1,06021.18Invalid/blank votes4–Total5,009100Registered voters/turnout5,37993.12Source: Direct Democracy See also Marianas Political Status Commission References Northern Mariana Category:1975 in the Northern Mariana Islands Category:Constitutional referendums in the Northern Mariana Islands Category:June 1975 in Oceania