Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As of yesterday, the Election Office in Tafuna received a total of 63 filled off-island absentee ballot forms for today's gubernatorial runoff election, from the 145 off-island voters who had requested absentee ballot forms for the November 5th general elections.

According to Deputy Election Commissioner Tavai Fiti Tavai, the absentee ballot forms were promptly sent electronically via email as soon as it was determined that a runoff election between the gubernatorial candidates Lemanu & La’apui and Pula & Pulu was required.

He stated that sending them electronically rather than by mail which was the usual procedure, ensured that off-island voters had timely access to participate in this important election process.

He acknowledged the US Postal Service in the mainland and Hawaii for prioritizing the prompt and speedy transfer of mail to the Territory ensuring that off-island absentee ballot forms arrive in time, helping to maintain the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process.

Tavai explained that any off-island absentee ballot they receive after today that is stamped by the US Postal Service as being sent after November 19th will be invalid.

Meanwhile up to yesterday, a total of 757 local absentee votes had been cast which included those who are traveling off-island and won’t be back in time to cast their ballots, those with disabilities, poll workers and Election Office staff who will be conducting today's runoff election.

Deputy Election Commissioner Tavai said that about 50 detainees at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) with pending cases who have not been convicted also voted yesterday.

Tavai also revealed that one of their senior staff members who will be overseeing the election in Manu'a left yesterday morning with the ballot boxes for the polling booths in Ta'u and Ofu islands, while the ballot box for Aunu'u Island was transported there yesterday afternoon.

The Deputy Election Commissioner stated that they anticipate a much shorter waiting period for the unofficial results of today's runoff election as only the gubernatorial votes will be counted.

Tavai said he also wanted to clarify an issue they have been getting many inquiries about from the gubernatorial camps. He said they have been asking if people who didn’t vote on Election Day can vote in the runoff.

He emphasized that as long as their names are on the voter roll, and they have voter IDs, those who did not vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 can vote in the runoff election.