Being a part of the United States, but not represented as a state, ensures the territories’ democracies are unique. The US territories consist of five different islands. These include Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Each of these islands has its own local government. However, having their own local governments does not exempt the territories from following the laws of the US federal government. The people of these territories are US citizens, pay taxes, and can travel within the US. Even though this is true, they cannot vote for president.
In addition, these islands lack political representation. Each territory can elect only a single member to the US House of Representatives. Despite this individual working to represent the territory, they do not have any real voting power. There is no US Senate representation for any of the territories.
US territories have their own unique constitutions or Organic Acts, and court systems as well. The US Congress has to approve these constitutions; however, the territories are allowed to lay these bases. Guam and the US Virgin Islands have their Organic Acts. The goal of these Organic Acts is to provide the framework for the government and processes of both Guam and the US Virgin Islands. These governmental structures lay the base for what the territories’ fundamental rights, laws, and goals are. Using the Organic Acts, these two territories can work with the foundations made, ones that are already approved by the US Congress.
Each constitution or Organic Act has its own goals and highlighted sections. Puerto Rico’s constitution provides the right for an individual to choose their own occupation. Similar to this, Guam’s Organic Act, the US Virgin Islands’ Organic Act, and American Samoa’s constitution require a public education system. For the Northern Mariana Islands, there is a focus on a clean and healthy environment in their constitution.
Although the Organic Acts, lack of political representation, and overall status are unique to these territories, more is at play. Another aspect to be considered when discussing the democracy of each territory is the financial situation. For example, residing in a territory causes Puerto Ricans to be ineligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. They also earn less on average in veteran and social security benefits. An average of 36 veteran benefits are offered nationwide, whereas in Puerto Rico, it is only 13. The debt crisis has been a major way to witness the effects of the current democracy, as there is a lack of available aid for Puerto Rico that other places could access. Since Puerto Rico is a territory, it is unable to receive aid in the same way most countries can. The International Monetary Fund and filing for Chapter nine bankruptcy are both things Puerto Rico is unable to do.
Most territories have these issues, such as the US Virgin Islands.
“Residents of the US Virgin Islands do not qualify for SSI based solely on their location, and are provided with less healthcare and nutrition assistance based on a doctrine of Territorial Unincorporation based on racist norms,” an official report from the US Virgin Islands Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights said.
These islands are concerned with having less access to critical government assistance programs.
“There are impacts on veterans and others who have served the country when it comes to healthcare benefits and other programs because of the disparity in government spending,” Neil Weare, civil rights attorney and non-profit leader, stated.
A large part of that is the underfunded Veterans Administration System. As of this year, the Veterans Affairs Office of the US Virgin Islands has yet to receive its promised funding. Rather, the funds were “redirected within the government into the general fund.”
On a different note, American Samoa stands out a bit more as the people of the islands are US nationals, not US citizens. Those residing in American Samoa still have most rights as US citizens, but lack direct citizenship. They cannot vote in state or national elections or hold some federal jobs.
Contrarily, the Northern Mariana Islands decided to forge closer relations with the US. These islands receive millions of dollars in aid from the US government. Although this is present, there is a distinct decline in population for this territory.
In the case of Guam, there is a heavy focus on decolonization. Guam’s commission on decolonization is one that teaches the different ways to have a democracy. Between statehood, independence, and free association, there are many options for the people of the island to fight for. In 1976, there was a vote in Guam to determine public opinion on the island’s future. 51 percent of the population voted to maintain their relationship with the US, but to also have improvements toward their political status. Later on, in 1980, 73 percent of voters opted for having Guam work towards being a Commonwealth. For Guam, the future of its democracy continues to be discussed, as seen by the Commission on Decolonization.
The US territories are each different from each other, but there is an overarching concept within their democracy. Being US citizens, yet unable to vote for president or pay taxes, while having a non-voting member in the US House of Representatives, and more, leads to a distinct situation for these territories.
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