Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
| Northern Mariana Islands Governor | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $70,000 |
| Term limits: | Two terms[1] |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Four years |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Arnold I. Palacios | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 25, 2022 |
| Other Northern Mariana Islands Executive Offices | |
| Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands | |
The Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands is an elected constitutional officer, the head of the executive branch and the highest territory office in the Northern Mariana Islands. This office is elected every four years by popular vote.[2]
Current officeholder
The current Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands is Arnold I. Palacios (R). Palacios assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The authority of the governor is established in Article III, Section 1 of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Constitution.[3]
Qualifications
According to Article III, Section 2 of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Constitution, the governor must "be qualified to vote in the Commonwealth, at least thirty-five years of age, and a resident and domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least ten years immediately preceding the date on which the governor takes office. A different period of residence and domicile may be provided by law. No person convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth or in any area under the jurisdiction of the United States may be eligible for this office unless a full pardon has been granted."[4]
Elections
The Northern Mariana Islands elects governors in federal midterm election years (e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, etc.). Governors are elected on a joint ticket with the lieutenant governors.[2]
2022
General runoff election
General runoff election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Arnold I. Palacios defeated incumbent Ralph Torres in the general runoff election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 25, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Arnold I. Palacios (Independent) | 54.1 | 7,394 |
 | Ralph Torres (R) | 45.9 | 6,263 | |
| Total votes: 13,657 | |||
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General election
General election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
Incumbent Ralph Torres and Arnold I. Palacios advanced to a runoff. They defeated Christina Sablan in the general election for Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ralph Torres (R) | 38.8 | 5,728 |
| ✔ | | Arnold I. Palacios (Independent) | 33.2 | 4,890 |
 | Christina Sablan (D) | 28.0 | 4,132 | |
| Total votes: 14,750 | |||
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| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Vacancies
In case of the removal, death, or resignation of the governor, the lieutenant governor will replace the governor and the president of the senate becomes the lieutenant governor.[5]
Duties
The governor must submit annual reports to the legislature regarding the state of the commonwealth as well as a yearly budget report. They have the ability to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons after consultation with a parole board. The governor also has the power to declare a state of emergency and "mobilize available resources to respond to that emergency."[6]
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Compensation
According to Article III, Section 5 of the Commonwealth Constitution, the legislature is responsible for setting the salary of the governor.[7]
2020
In 2020, the governor received a salary of $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2019
In 2019, the governor received a salary of $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2018
In 2018, the governor received a salary of $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2017
In 2017, the governor received a salary of $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2016
In 2016, the governor received a salary of $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2015
In 2015, the governor received a salary was $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2014
In 2014, the governor earned a salary of $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2013
In 2013, the governor's salary remained at $70,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Contact information
Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Juan A. Sablan Memorial Bldg.
Capital Hill
Caller Box 10007
Saipan, MP 96950
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ CNMI Constitution, "Article III, Section 4," accessed August 18, 2020
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 CNMI Constitution, "Article III, Section 4," accessed January 13, 2020
- ↑ Commonwealth Law Revision Commission, "Constitution," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Commonwealth Law Revision Commission, "Constitution," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Commonwealth Law Revision Commission, "Constitution," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Commonwealth Law Revision Commission, "Constitution," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Commonwealth Law Revision Commission, "Constitution," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 13, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "CSG Releases 2013 Governor Salaries," January 13, 2021
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