Governance Information for Guam (US)

Type of Government:

Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior. 

Capital city:

Hagatna (Hagåtña), formerly Agana

Population:

175,877 (July 2008 est.)

Independence :

Not Independent. Guam is a territory of the US.

Year of current Constitution:

Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950

Parliament:

Guam is governed by a popularly elected Governor and a unicameral 15 member Legislature elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms.

President:

W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001)

Vice President:

Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)

Electoral System:

Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, and then must wait a full term before running again).

Under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US President and Vice President.

Guam elects one non-voting delegate to the US House of Representatives.  During U.S. Presidential elections, citizens in Guam vote in a straw poll for their choice of president--which doesn't count toward the general election results.

The Cabinet comprises Heads of Executive Departments, appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Guam Legislature.

Most recent election:

Last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)

Previous elections:

2004

Political Parties:

Democratic Party [leader Michael Phillips];

Judicial System:

Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);

Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor).

Departments

Department of Youth Affairs

Department of Revenue & Taxation

Department of Public Works

Department of Public Health & Social Services

Department of Parks & Recreation

Department of Military Affairs

Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Department of Land Management

Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Department of Corrections

Department of Chamorro Affairs

Department of Chamorro Affairs

Department of Agriculture

Department of Administration

International Memberships

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

Universal Postal Union (UPU

Sources

(1) Official Website of Guam
http://www.guamgovernor.net/content/category/1/20/200/

(2) Government of Guam
http://guamgovernor.net/content/category/10/19/35/

(3) Guam - World Fact Book
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gq.html