US territories push for political influence in the 2024 elections

By Ron Rocky Coloma, Pacific Island Times

In the lead-up to the 2024 US elections, diaspora leaders from US territories began discussions on how their communities can participate in the political process.

A virtual dialogue hosted by the Right to Democracy on 25 October explored ways to better engage voters from Guam, the Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands, as part of a larger effort to mobilise these communities and advocate for their unique issues in American politics.

Angelo Villagomez, an environmental organiser from the Northern Marianas, and James Servino, a human rights advocate from Guam, shared insights into the complexities and challenges of representing small, dispersed communities.

Other speakers offered context on social, economic and political issues impacting the territories.

Villagomez and Servino noted how residents from US territories often feel overlooked in broader US political conversations, despite their unique status and contributions to American culture and policy.

Territorial residents cannot vote in presidential elections and lack voting representation in Congress, leaving them largely absent from the federal policymaking.

Villagomez noted that Pacific Islanders are often categorised within the Asian American and Pacific Islander or AAPI group, an umbrella term that he feels can dilute their identity and overlook their specific needs.

"We often get swept up in the larger AAPI label, but when it comes time to actually discuss our issues, we're not at the table," he said. "During AAPI month, there are panels and discussions, but too often, we're invited to the conversation but still feel unseen."

Villagomez noted that this lack of representation leaves Pacific Islanders feeling invisible within their own political category, contributing to a sense of disconnection and lack of engagement in US political processes.

Servino echoed Villagomez's concerns, adding that visibility issues persist even within advocacy and legislative circles, where Pacific Islanders' issues receive low priority.

Having worked with the Human Rights Campaign on the mainland and in Guam, Servino sees the potential for territories to unite under a common agenda but emphasises the need for a better political framework that addresses their unique needs.

The cross-territorial dialogue highlighted the need for greater unity and cooperation across the territories to achieve policy changes that could enhance representation.

The organisers believe such a unified approach will ensure that the unique issues faced by each territory are elevated in the national discourse, particularly as they relate to US policies on immigration, climate change, healthcare and economic investment.

Villagomez explained how such cooperation could play out in practice. "We're talking about a very small group of people who share common struggles, particularly around healthcare, climate impacts and economic disparities," he said. "Working together to raise awareness of these issues on the mainland can turn our small numbers into a meaningful voice."

Villagomez and Servino agreed that advocating for self-determination is central to their mission.

The US considers Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands crucial to the US power posture in the region.

Despite this, residents often lack a formal say in federal policy decisions that affect their islands. In the same way, Puerto Ricans frequently advocate for parity in federal programs, especially Medicare and Medicaid, to address gaps in healthcare access.

Servino said such issues can only gain traction if territories develop a cross-territorial alliance to increase their leverage with federal lawmakers.

A central theme throughout the dialogue was the question of how to mobilise diaspora communities.

As residents of territories like Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico increasingly move to the mainland US, they gain voting rights that allow them to influence elections in ways they could not at home.

The 2024 election presents a unique opportunity to engage these diaspora communities and demonstrate their political impact, especially in swing states where their numbers, though small, could sway tight races.

Servino highlighted the role of grassroots organizing and community outreach, which have been effective in engaging Puerto Rican communities in swing states like Florida and Pennsylvania.

"It's about creating awareness, especially for newer residents from the islands," he said. "In many cases, these people don't realise the power of their vote, so we work to emphasise how they can help bring visibility to issues impacting their families and friends back home."

Servino and Villagomez see this effort as an ongoing process of education and engagement.

Villagomez, who has focused his organising work on environmental issues, observed that many people from the territories don't feel represented in the larger political structure of the US.

"Whether you're CHamoru, Samoan or Puerto Rican, we don't see ourselves in the narratives that are often presented during campaign season," he said. "This is why we have to start organising ourselves, educating our community on what's at stake."

One important aspect of the conversation was the need for the territories to reclaim and redefine their own narratives within the US political system.

Villagomez and Servino emphasised the importance of sharing their own histories, particularly as they relate to colonisation, military occupation and political underrepresentation.

Villagomez said much of what Pacific Islanders know about themselves was written by outsiders, often resulting in identity and cultural misrepresentations.

He recalled how older generations were discouraged from speaking their native languages and how this cultural suppression continues to affect the people's identity in the Marianas.

"You have an entire generation who didn't learn their language because their parents were afraid they'd be punished," Villagomez said. "And now, the younger generation is trying to reclaim that culture. Part of engaging in US politics is knowing where we come from and defining that for ourselves."

Servino emphasised that empowering Pacific Islander communities in the US involves recognisng their history and ongoing contributions.

"We need to tell our stories," he said. "When we talk about military bases or natural resources, those conversations are happening because our islands are valuable to the US. It's time we make sure our voices are part of that conversation too."

The participants recommended actionable steps to help the territories gain greater representation.

Villagomez and Servino suggested collecting better data on Pacific Islander communities and diaspora populations.

"If we had clearer data on where we are and our numbers, it would be much easier to organize and advocate for our needs," said Villagomez. He noted that current census categories and federal data collection methods often lump territories into larger groups, making it difficult to identify and address the specific challenges facing Pacific Islanders.

Another key action item discussed was advocating for targeted legislative wins rather than aiming solely for broad political reform.

Servino and Villagomez argued that issues like Medicaid parity, disaster relief funding and climate adaptation initiatives should be prioritized in dialogues with lawmakers, especially in swing states where Pacific Islander and Puerto Rican diaspora communities hold influence.

"If we can start with focused, achievable goals, we can build the momentum needed to address the larger structural issues over time," Servino said.

-This article was first published by Pacific Island Times.