Title 48, Territories and Insular PossessionsRelease 119-110

§1752 Election of Delegate

Title 48 › CHAPTER 16 — DELEGATES TO CONGRESS › SUBCHAPTER III — NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS DELEGATE › § 1752

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Voters who can vote for the Northern Mariana Islands’ local officials must elect the Delegate. The first election is at the federal general election in 2008 and then at that same federal election every 2 years. The Delegate is chosen by the whole territory and wins by the largest number of votes, unless local law sets a primary system that requires a majority in the general election. If the Delegate’s office becomes permanently empty, it stays empty until a successor is elected and qualified. The Delegate’s term starts on the 3d day of January after the election.

Full Legal Text

Title 48, §1752

Territories and Insular Possessions, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Electors and time of election

The Delegate shall be elected—

(1)by the people qualified to vote for the popularly elected officials of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and

(2)at the Federal general election of 2008 and at such Federal general election every 2d year thereafter.

(b)Manner of election

(1)In general

The Delegate shall be elected at large and by a plurality of the votes cast for the office of Delegate.

(2)Effect of establishment of primary elections

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the Government of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance with the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, provides for primary elections for the election of the Delegate, the Delegate shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast in any general election for the office of Delegate for which such primary elections were held.

(c)Vacancy

In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor is elected and qualified.

(d)Commencement of term

The term of the Delegate shall commence on the 3d day of January following the date of the election.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

48 U.S.C. § 1752

Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110