Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Today, American Samoans voters will cast their ballots for their respective House of Representative members, the Congressional delegate, and consider the 11 amendments to the Constitutional referendum.

Office of Political Status and Constitutional Review executive director Tapa’au Dr. Dan Aga said the results of the referendum will express the will of the people of American Samoa.

 “These results will determine whether the Constitutional amendment process can move to the next step.

“If the majority of American Samoa’s voters say yes to any or some of the proposed amendments, then Governor Lemanu Mauga will have the people’s consent for moving forward.  It will allow the governor to begin discussions with the US Secretary of Interior.”

He told Samoa News the amendments #1 to #3 are about developing local government.

“They speak to our relations with the Secretary of Interior.  Developing and strengthening local government depends on increasing the authority of the American Samoa Government while decreasing the authority of the Secretary of Interior.

“If the majority vote yes, then we could be looking at changes in our relationship with Interior as far as the courts and the legislature.  “If the majority vote no, then our relationship with Interior remains the same in these areas.

“If the majority choose no for #1, the responsibility for selecting the Chief Justice stays with the Secretary of Interior. 

“If the majority choose yes for #1, our people will have a greater voice in selecting the Chief Justice.  It also means more responsibility will be entrusted to our local leaders to ensure the independence of the courts and the rule of law.”

Amendment #4 attempts to create fairer representation in the House of Representatives. 

“It is not a perfect solution.  However, a yes vote would recognize that Ituau and Tualuata now have huge populations that deserve additional representatives or faipule.”

According to Tapa’au amendment #5  is a step in taking “pitonu’u” listed in the US Census but not listed in the American Samoa Constitution and placing them in the appropriate Representative District.

“For #6, it attempts to create more “Fair Representation for Swains Island; #7 attempts to create more “Fair Representation” for Manu’a in the Senate; #8 is based on the democratic principle that people have the right to hold their leaders accountable; #9 changes GAS to ASG; #10 changes one letter in the spelling of district “Ma’uputasi” to “Ma’oputasi” and #11 adds “ma Itulagi” to the district of “Leasina”. 

He told Samoa News that amending American Samoa’s Constitution will not change American Samoa’s political status. 

“Today’s Referendum will not change our political status as a US territory. 

“The sons and daughters of American Samoa have made sacrifices too great to support and defend our relationship with the US.

“Amending the Constitution is not an attempt to change this extremely important part of our lives although there is a question on the form of our political status as a US territory (i.e. “organic act”).

“The Constitution belongs to all of the people of Tutuila, Aunuu, Manu’a and Swains Island.  No matter if you are old or young, rich or poor, male or female, or whether you hold a matai title or not.  Except for rights defined by law such as the right to vote, constitutional rights are for all people residing in American Samoa.”

Adding that the Constitution cannot fix the roads. 

“It cannot pay your electric or water bills.  It cannot heal the sick.  Why then does it matter? The Constitution matters because it sets out our rights and responsibilities. 

“It has a unique section for protecting Samoan lands, culture, and language.  It sets up the three branches of our local government.  A good Constitution holds government accountable.”

Furthermore, Tapa’au pointed out if the conditions in American Samoa change, the Constitution needs to adapt to those changes. 

“Only your vote can decide which Constitutional changes are needed or ought to be made. You have the freedom to choose.”