What are two differences between a us state and a us territory? us states can make laws that override certain federal laws, but us territories cannot. residents of us states can vote in presidential elections, while residents of us territories cannot. residents of us states can travel to us territories without a passport, but residents of us territories need a passport to travel to us states. us states are directly administered by state governments, while us territories are administered by the federal government. us states can elect their own government, but us territories cannot.