Parliamentary elections were held in
Guam
Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...
in 1956. The
Popular Party won all 21 seats, in what became known as a "blackjack victory".
[
]
Background
Following the 1954 elections
The following elections occurred in the year 1954.
Africa
* French legislative by-election, 1954 (Guinea)
* 1954 Southern Rhodesian general election
* 1954 Gambian legislative election
* 1954 Gold Coast legislative election
Asia
* 1954 Iranian le ...
the Popular Party had split after disagreements over the election of the Speaker. Eight former Popular Party MPs formed the Territorial Party shortly before the 1956 elections.[Guam Legislature]
Guampedia
Electoral system
The 21 members of the Legislature
A legislature (, ) is a deliberative assembly with the legal authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country, nation or city on behalf of the people therein. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial power ...
were elected from a single district, with the candidates receiving the most votes being elected. Candidates were required to be at least 25 years old and have lived in Guam for at least five years before the election.[
]
Campaign
The Popular Party campaign included referring to the Territorial Party as the "party of the rich", and opposition to the "familia system".[ Nightly Popular Party rallies known as "gupot" were attended by up to 5,000 people, with James T. Sablan attacking the Territorial Party.][ In contrast, Territorial Party rallies attracted only 200 at most,][Territorial Party]
Guampedia and the Guam Party attracted little attention.[Robert F. Rogers (1995) ''Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam'', University of Hawaii Press, p234]
See also
* 4th Guam Legislature
References
{{Guamanian elections
1956 in Guam
Legislative elections in Guam
Guam
Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...