(NEXSTAR) — More than 3.5 million people live in U.S. territories, according to the most recent Census data. Yet, despite their citizenship status, Americans in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands can't vote in the upcoming presidential election.

American Samoa, while another territory, is a little different — its residents are U.S. nationals rather than citizens. But they, too, won’t be able to cast a ballot on Nov. 5.

This restriction is part of a longstanding policy that lawmakers and nonprofit organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have often criticized.

It all boils down to statehood and our unique electoral system.

The Electoral College, a process established by the U.S. Constitution, determines who will become president. Each state as........

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