1961 Northern Mariana Islands status referendum

Ballot measure in the Northern Mariana Islands A referendum on the status of the Northern Mariana Islands was held on 5 February 1961.Northern Mariana Islands, 5 February 1961: Status Direct Democracy de Although 65% of voters supported integration with Guam, the United States did not integrate the islands. Background Saipan had been administratively separated from Guam since 1898, when the latter had come under American control. Saipan also came under American control in 1947. In 1957, the Popular Party had victories in Guam and Northern Marianas. In 1958, an unofficial poll in Saipan had been in favor of integration and the Guam Legislature had asked the US Congress to integrate the Northern Marianas's government into Guam's.http://www.guampedia.com/history-of-efforts-to-reunify-the-mariana-islands/ » History of Efforts to Reunify the Mariana Islands Guampedia 21 August 2013 The 1961 referendum was organized by the local Parliament, as members wished to integrate with Guam. It was held prior to a March visit by a United Nations commission checking on the conditions of the UN trust territories. Rota was in a different district at the time, and could not vote. Results Voters were given four options: [A] Do you desire to become United States citizens within the political framework of Guam? [B] Do you desire to become United States citizens by becoming a separate territory of the United States? [C] Do you desire to remain in the same status? [D] Other Wishes? ChoiceVotes%Integration with Guam1,64264.54US territory87534.40Status quo271.06Other status00.00Invalid/blank votes8–Total2,552100Registered voters/turnout3,03584.09Source: Direct Democracy Aftermath The Carolinian community held a poll opposed to integration. Both results were given to the UN mission upon its arrival, but neither affected the mission's stance that the area needed greater self-reliance. Later referendums were held in 1963 and 1969. References Category:1961 referendums Category:1961 in the Northern Mariana Islands Category:Constitutional referendums in the Northern Mariana Islands Category:Administrative division referendums Category:Sovereignty referendums Category:Autonomy referendums Category:Border polls