1963 Northern Mariana Islands integration referendum

An unofficial referendum on integration with Guam was held in the Northern Mariana Islands on 27 October 1963.^[1] Although the proposal was approved by voters,^[1] the islands were not integrated.

Background

Previous referendums in 1958 and 1961 had been in favor of integration. Both the Guam Legislature and Saipan Congress had passed resolutions requesting reunification.^[2] The 1963 referendum was organized by the local Parliament as members wanted the islands to integrate with Guam, and was timed to coincide with the 1964 visit of a United Nations commission looking at the status of the UN Trust Territories.^[1][2]

Results

Choice		Votes	%
Integration with Guam		1,231	96.78
Remain a territory		32	2.52
Independence		9	0.71
Total		1,272	100.00
Valid votes		1,272	98.91
Invalid/blank votes		14	1.09
Total votes		1,286	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		3,015	42.65
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

The results were presented to the mission, with the mission's report responding that secession from a UN Trust Territory was not possible "and should be regarded as firmly settled".^[2]