---
kind: "section"
citation: "48 U.S.C. § 1752"
title: "48"
title_heading: "Territories and Insular Possessions"
number: "1752"
heading: "Election of Delegate"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/48/1752"
units:
  - "Chapter 16 — Delegates to Congress"
  - "Subchapter III — Northern Mariana Islands Delegate"
---

# §1752. Election of Delegate

- (a) **Electors and time of election—** The [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md) 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](/usc/48/1757.md) shall be elected at large and by a plurality of the votes cast for the office of [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md).
  - (2) **Effect of establishment of primary elections—** Notwithstanding [paragraph (1)](#b-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](/usc/48/1757.md), the [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md) shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast in any general election for the office of [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md) for which such primary elections were held.
- (c) **Vacancy—** In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md), the office of [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md) shall remain vacant until a successor is elected and qualified.
- (d) **Commencement of term—** The term of the [Delegate](/usc/48/1757.md) shall commence on the 3d day of January following the date of the election.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–229, title VII, § 712, May 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 868.)