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Government and Politics of Guam
Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Guam.
Government Structure
Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.
- Government Type
- NA
- Administrative Divisions
- none (territory of the US)
- Legal System
- modeled on US; US federal laws apply
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections
- Citizenship
- See United States
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP of the US (since 20 January 2025) and Vice President JD VANCE (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor Lourdes "Lou" Leon GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019) and Lieutenant Governor Josh TENORIO (since 7 January 2019) cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam Legislature elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, Guam residents who are US citizens may vote in presidential elections if they establish residency in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Lourdes "Lou" Leon GUERRERO reelected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes Leon GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 56.5%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 43.5%
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) Elections: last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 7, Republican Party 8 Note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024); results - James Moylan (Republican Party) was elected as delegate, defeating incumbent Michael San Nicolas; seats by party - Republican Party 1
- Judicial Branch
- Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)
- Political Parties
- Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party (controls the legislature) [leader Philip J. FLORES]
- Head of Government
- Governor Felix P. Camacho
- Cabinet
- heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
- Elections
- last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024)
- Election Results
- percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 7, Republican Party 8 Note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held in November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024); results - James Moylan (Republican Party) was elected as delegate, defeating incumbent Michael San Nicolas; seats by party - Republican Party 1
- Constitution
- Organic Act of 1 August 1950
- Independence
- none (territory of the US)
- National Holiday
- Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
- International Organization Participation
- Interpol (subbureau), IOC
- Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.
- none (territory of the US)
- U.S. Diplomatic Representation
- none (territory of the US)
Capital City
Seat of government and political history.
- Capital City
- Hagatna (Agana)
- Location
- 13 28 N, 144 44 E
- Time Difference
- UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- History
- The name is derived from the Chamoru word "haga," meaning "blood", and may refer to the bloodlines of the various families that established the original settlement
National Symbols
Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.
National Flag
- Flag Symbolism
- territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
- Flag History
- The blue stands for the Pacific Ocean. The seal is in the shape of a sling shot used by the ancient Chamorros for hunting and warfare. It is the symbol of protection and endurance of the home government. The seal depicts a typical landscape in Guam, seen from the mouth of the Agana River. The lonely coconut palm tree escaped being uprooted during the destructive typhoon of 1918 and symbolizes perseverance, courage, strength and usefulness (coconut is the main crop of the island). In the distance is “Two Lovers' Point” which represents faithfulness to a good cause. According to legend, two lovers preferred to kill themselves by jumping from the Point rather than be forced to marry someone they didn't love. The outrigger canoe recalls the fame of the native people, the Chamorros, for their nautical skills. It stands for bravery and skill in making the best of one's environment.
- Date of Adoption
- 9 February 1948
National Anthem
- Anthem Lyrics
- Stand Ye Guamanians Chamorro lyrics Fanohge Chamorro put it tano'-ta Kanta i matuna-na gi todu i lugat Para i onra, para i gloria Abiba i isla sinparat. Para i onra, para i gloria Abiba i isla sinparat. Todu i tiempo i pas para hita Yan ginen i langet na bendision Kontra i piligru na'fansafo' ham Yu'os prutehi i islan Guam Kontra i piligru na'fansafo' ham Yu'os prutehi i islan Guam
- Anthem Lyrics (English)
- Stand ye Guamanians for your country And sing her praise from shore to shore For her honor, for her glory Exalt our island forever more. For her honor, for her glory Exalt our island forever more. May everlasting peace reign o'er us May heaven's blessing to us come Against all perils, do not forsake us God protect our isle of Guam. Against all perils, do not forsake us God protect our isle of Guam.
- Anthem History
- As a United States dependency, the official national anthem is the "Star Spangled Banner" Guam has a territorial anthem titled "Stand Ye Guamanians" . Adopted in 1919, the words and music were written by Ramon Manalisay Sablan.
Other National Symbols
National Flower
Puti Tai Nobiu (Bougainvillea spectabilis)
The flowers of the bougainvillea can be several different colors, from pink, to red, to orange, to white and yellow.