Date announced for American Samoa elections

AMERICAN SAMOA – American Samoa’s chief election officer has officially proclaimed this year’s general election date in November.

Local law requires the chief election officer to issue an official public proclamation announcing the date of election.

In the proclamation, Uiagalelei Dr Lealofi Uiagalelei, said the election will be held on November 8 at designated polling stations, throughout the territory.

Polling stations will be announced some time in October, but Uiagalelei told a cabinet meeting early this month that there will be 45 stations.

This year, voters will go to the polls to elect the governor and lieutenant governor, whose four-year term commences in January 2017.

Also to voted in this year is the Delegate to the US House and the 20 elected members of the Territorial House of Representatives.

As of last Friday, only two teams have picked up election forms for the gubernatorial teams, four for the Delegate race and more than 30 for the Territorial House race.

The gubernatorial teams, includes that of incumbent governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga and lieutenant governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga.

In the Congressional race, incumbent Congresswoman Aumua Amata is seeking a second term.

People born in American Samoa are American nationals and are not American citizens unless on of their parents holds a US citizenship.

They cannot vote in the election of the president and vice-president of the US but can elect one non-voting delegate to the House of representatives.

The Northern Marianas and Guam also elect representatives to Congress in Washington but they are unable to vote on legislation. - RNZI