1969 Northern Mariana Islands status referendum
A referendum on the islands' status was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 9 November 1969. For the fourth time since 1958 a majority of voters supported integration with Guam. However, a referendum held in Guam on 4 November on integration with the Northern Mariana Islands had been rejected by 58% of Guamanian voters.Background
Previous referendums on either integration with Guam or the islands' status had been held in 1958, 1961 and 1963. On each occasion a majority had been in favor of integration. However, the proposal remained unfulfilled.
The 1969 referendum was organized by the local Parliament, and was held prior to a visit by a United Nations commission in early 1970.Results
Voters were given five options:
- Do you want to become U.S. Citizen within the political framework of the Territory of Guam?
- Do you want independence?
- Do you want to become an unincorporated Territory of the United States?
- Do want to free associate with the United States?
- What other form of government do you want?
