Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Office of Samoan Affairs will be spearheading a public awareness campaign to education the community on the veto override amendment to the local Constitution before the November general election.

The amendment was approved before the close of the 3rd Regulation session of the 35th Legislature and the Senate Joint Resolution seeking the amendment, requested that the governor place this as a referendum on the next general election for voters to decide on.

The Joint Resolution gives the Fono authority to over-ride a vote by the governor, instead of the US Interior Secretary.

According to the Governor’s Office, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga spoke about veto override during the Apr. 25 cabinet meeting, saying that he believes lack of understanding about the veto override amendment was the reason the change was not approved in previous elections.

Lolo said the overall purpose of the amendment is to give more strength to the American Samoa Constitution and that the US Interior Department wants the people of American Samoan to fully understand the impact and effects of the change to the Constitution.

Additionally, it’s imperative to provide information so a final informed decision could be reached by the people of American Samoa.

Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga Tasi Asuega, briefed the cabinet about the planned public awareness campaign, which will include presentations in villages, churches, and schools to fully explain the veto override change.

Lolo has been a long time supporter of giving the Fono the authority to override the veto of a sitting governor. And this goes to the time that he was Senate President, a few years ago.

Lawmakers in both the Senate and House are also supportive of public awareness programs regarding the importance of the vote override issue. Senators have suggested that Fono leaders establish a committee to oversee the public awareness program and this issue is expected to be discussed further when the Fono convenes July 9 for the 4th session.

Similar measures on the veto-override have been approved by the Fono in past years but were all rejected by voters, many of whom want to maintain the current process, especially for the fact that the governor is elected by voters, while senators are selected by their respective traditional counties.