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Registered voters stranded off island will be able to cast their ballots

American Samoa Election Office
Stranded candidates may also qualify to run for office
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa “active voters” stranded off-island due to border closure after the local COVID-19 restrictions, will be able to vote absentee in the November general election under procedures put in place by the Election Office.

And local active voters stranded off-island — who are possible candidates running for public office can also register from off island.

However, “All these inclusions will be cancelled upon opening of borders or travel ban and residents return home before the General Election on Nov. 3, 2020,” said Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei in a July 13th letter to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, who was informed about the latest election update.

Uiagalelei explained that after consultation with the Election Office legal counsel and leadership team, “we have come to an agreement that perhaps that it would be best to include our registered off-island voters in the absentee category while the closure of our borders is being observed.”

He said specific policies and procedures would outline the process specifically for the category “Active registered voters stranded off-island due to COVID-19”.

Absentee ballot applications for those who are stranded off-island are now available to download on the website www.aselectionoffice.gov

Under current law, those voting absentee ballot from off island are registered voters in the uniformed services, local students attending institution of higher education, ASG employees and those employed with the federal government. The Election Office is currently accepting absentee ballot requests up until October 19, 2020 for these voters.

In his letter to the governor, Uiagalelei said he has also “allowed those registered voters showing interest to run for public offices to announce their candidacy and follow criteria for their participation from off-island.”

According to the Election Office, Sept. 1, 2020 at 4:30p.m is the deadline to file petitions for candidates running for public office: Governor/ Lt. Governor, U.S House of Representatives and Fono House of Representatives.

When asked if this action would require amending local election law, the Election Office referred Samoa News to Title 6 — Elections — section 6.0106 Rules of the American Samoa Code Annotated, which gives the Chief Election Office the authority to exercise this responsibility.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the governor had requested, and Hawaiian Airlines has again granted the suspension of flights between Honolulu and Pago Pago through Aug. 31st. (See last Friday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

Uiagaleleli also issued a separate memo to voters and candidates, addressing active voters and candidates stranded off-island.  He explained that the Election Office is fully aware that the ongoing coronavirus worldwide pandemic “may change the way our people vote and for those who are running for public offices.”

With borders closed for another 30-days until the end of August, this will cost “these voters their lawful rights to participate in their rightful election of future leaders,” he pointed out.

According to the memo, stranded candidates must observe and adhere to the following criteria:

•     designate someone (committee person) to pick up and process the nomination papers’ required signatures by law. All forms will be thoroughly scrutinized and reviewed for accuracy

•     deadline for turning-in the forms is 4:30p.m. Sept. 1, 2020

•     official release of list of candidates to appear 3 days later.

For more information, please contact the office at 699-3571, 699-3572