Mariannes du Nord Profil Gouvernement

nom: Saipan

coordonnées géographiques: 15 12 N, 145 45 E

différence de temps: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

Commonwealth Day, 8 Janvier (1978)

history: partially effective 9 Janvier 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 Novembre 1986 (Covenant Agreement)

amendments: proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote; amended several times, last in 2012 (2017)

18 ans; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

chef d'état (Président): Président Donald J. TRUMP (depuis 20 January 2017); Vice Président Michael R. PENCE (depuis 20 January 2017)

chef de gouvernement (1er ministre): Governor Ralph TORRES (depuis 29 December 2015); Lieutenant Governor Victor HOCOG (depuis 29 December 2015)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; election last held on 13 November 2018 (next to be held in 2022)

election results: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (Independent) 37.8%;  Arnold PALACIOS elected Lieutenant Governor