Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Chief Election Officer, Uiagalelei Lealofi has certified as “official” final results of the 2022 Midterm Election for the Delegate to the U.S House and local House of Representative races as well as the Referendum on Amendments to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa.

Deadline to file a challenge was 4:30pm. on Nov. 15 and based on the Election Office official results, no one contested the outcome of the election.

Pursuant to local law, Uiagalelei announced that the “deadline for contesting the results for the Midterm Election 2022 has expired.” And the “Official Results” were released by the Election Office just after 5p.m. on Nov. 15.

For the Congressional race, incumbent Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata — who ran unopposed — received 6,637 votes, which is 46% of the total number of registered voters of 14,313, according to the Official Results document from the Election Office.

The document also shows that the highest number of registered voters — totaling 3,085 — is District #15 – Tualauta, but only 1,169 electors cast ballots.

At the local House of Representatives, the “Official Results” confirmed five new faipule-elect: Shawn Onosai Va’a; Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr; Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao; Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching; and Fiu John Saelua.

They along with the re-elected incumbents will be sworn into office before 12noon on Jan. 03, 2023 — in accordance with local law — for 38th Legislature, and it’s also at this time that the new sitting of the House will elect a Speaker.

Current House Speaker, Savali Talavou Ale, the longest serving House member, regained his seat for District 14 Alataua and he is expected to again seek the leadership post for the new Legislature.

There’s been no speculation at this point of another incumbent or a faipule-elect, looking to run for the Speakership post.

As in past years, the Chief Election Officer will be present during the swearing-in ceremony, to present and announce the official results of the election.

Missing from the new House membership will be a female-faipule, after incumbent Rep. Andra Samoa was unseated by Fiu John Saelua for District #13, Fofo, Leone during the Nov. 08 election.

However, the 38th Legislature will still have a female-lawmaker, and that is Sen. Fonoti Tafa’ifa Aufata in the Senate.

OFFICIAL RESULTS ON AMENDMENTS

The official results on the Amendments to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa of the 2022 Midterm Election were certified by the Chief Election Officer, Uiagalelei Lealofi.

Despite the official results showing differences in the total number of votes cast for each of the 11 amendments from the numbers on the unofficial results released on the morning of Nov. 9, there is no difference in the outcome of the election.

The results were released just after 5p.m on Nov. 15.

1. The Governor shall appoint the Chief Justice and Associate Justices subject to confirmation by the Legislature.

O le a filifilia e le Kovana le Faamasino Sili, ma Sui Faamasino Sili ae faamaonia e le Fono Faitulafono.

YES/IOE 2300

NO/LEAI 4536

2.The Secretary of Interior shall not have the power to change the decisions of the High Court of American Samoa.   le a le toe iai se pule a le Failautusi o le Initeria e sui ai faai’uga a le Faamasinoga Maualuga o Amerika Samoa

YES/IOE 2,743

NO/LEAI 4,106

3. The Secretary of Interior shall not have the power to change the Legislature’s override of the Governor’s Veto.

Ole a le toe iai se pule a le Failautusi o le Initeria e sui ai le faaleaogaina e le Fono le vito a le Kovana.

YES/IOE 2,573

NO/LEAI 4,106

4. This amendment shall add one (1) seat to Representative District– Ituau and, add one (1) seat to Representative District –Tualauta. The total number of Representatives would increase from 20 to 22.

O lenei suiga o le a faaopoopo ai le Faipule e tasi (1) i le Ituau ma se Faipule e tasi (1) i Ma’upu (Tualauta). O le a sui ai le aofa’i o Faipule mai le 20 i le 22.

YES/IOE 2,573

NO/LEAI 4,227

5. This amendment shall include “Malaeimi” in Representative District No. 12 – Ituau.”

O lenei suiga o le a aofia ai “Malaeimi” i le Itumalo Faafaipule o le Ituau.

YES/IOE 3,216

NO/LEAI 3,583

6. amendment will give the delegate from Swains Island the right to vote in the House of Representatives.

O lenei suiga o le a tuuina atu ai i le Faipule o Swains le aia tatau e palota ai i le Maota o Sui.

YES/IOE 3,893

NO/LEAI 3,008

 7. This amendment will restore five (5) Senators to Manu’a. The total number of Senators would increase from 18 to 20. O lenei suiga o le a toe fa’aatoa ai le lima (5) o Senatoa o Manu’a. O le a sui ai le aofa’i o Senatoa mai le 18 i le 20.

YES/IOE 2,593

NO/LEAI 4,299

8. This amendment shall include an impeachment process of the Governor and Lt. Governor.

O lenei suiga e auiliili ai faagasologa e faatula’i ai le Kovana poo le Kovana Lutena.

YES/IOE 4,094

NO/LEAI 2,663

9. This amendment shall change the name “Government of American Samoa” to “American Samoa Government”. O lenei suiga o le a suia ai le “Government of American Samoa”i le “American Samoa Government”.

YES/IOE 3,926

NO/LEAI 2,859

10. This amendment shall change “Ma’uputasi” to “Ma’oputasi”.

O lenei suiga o le a suia ai le “Ma’uputasi” i le “Ma’oputasi”.

YES/IOE 3,932

NO/LEAI 2,831

11. This amendment shall change “Leasina” to “Leasina ma Aitulagi”.

O lenei suiga o le a suia ai “Leasina” ia “Leasina ma Aitulagi”.

YES/IOE 3,797

NO/LEAI 3,022

Click on attachment below to download “Official Results” documents from the Election Office.