Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — This Samoa News file photo shows banners — including “Register to Vote 2020” — on the Election Office fence in Tafuna. Deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3rd general election is the close of business today, Oct. 5th.

Therefore, Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei urged those who qualify to vote and have not done so, to please register and vote. “Register to vote. It’s your right,” said Uiagalelei.

As of last Friday, the Election Office says the voter roll totals 16,111 registered voters. Documents needed to register to vote include: birth certificate, social security card and photo ID.

Three-days after registration closes, the Election Office will release the latest update of the voter registration roll to candidates seeking public office, according to election officials.

The officials also say that a total of 400-plus absentee ballots have been mailed out for both the regular overseas absentees — for military personnel, local students attending colleges off island, and ASG employees — and also the new category of COVID-19 absentee voting, for  active voters stranded off island due to border closure.

As of last Friday, only 71 absentee ballots had been received and recorded at the Election Office. Deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 19th.

Election officials will be going out to villages to conduct local absentee voting to voters with disabilities on Oct. 9th. Anybody with a disability can contact the election office at 699-3570  to request for a local absentee vote. Election information is on the Election Office website (www.aselectionoffice.gov), which also provides details on overseas absentee ballots.