Alaska woman appeals voter fraud charges in case that puts spotlight on status of American Samoans
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A state appeals court is being asked to dismiss felony voter misconduct charges against an Alaska resident born in American Samoa, one of numerous cases that have

![Michael Pese, left, his wife, Tupe Smith, and their son Maximus pose for a photo outside the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, ahead of the Alaska Court of Appeals hearing a challenge to the voter fraud case brought against her by the state. [AP Photo/Mark Thiessen] Pese family](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/pese_family.jpg?itok=tL5ViAFg)


![The United States renewed its 20-year Compacts with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, collectively known as the Freely Associated States (FAS). The COFA agreements ensure strategic advantages for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, as the U.S. provides services and defense guarantees. [courtesy photo] Amata with freely assoiated states reps](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/congresswoman_amata_with_freely_associated_states.jpg?itok=3qYD-z_5)

![Official launch of the Le Vasa Cable was highlighted by the signing of a landmark agreement between Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Google’s Vice President of Global Network Infrastructure, Brian Quigley. [ASG Photo] GOVERNOR AND GOOGLE. VP](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/gov_and_google_signing.jpg?itok=lLmi9exk)



