Armed Forces Info

 BACKGROUND ON ABSENTEE REGISTRATION LAW

In 2002, the law requiring persons to appear in person to register to vote was amended, allowing “absent uniformed services voter[s] and overseas voter[s]” to register without having to appear in person before an election officer. At the time, this exception only applied to elections for the Office of the Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In May 2008, the law was further amended to allow “absent uniformed services voters” to register without having to appear in person before an election officer, and the exception was extended to elections for the offices of Governor/Lt. Governor, and Representative to the Fono. In order to qualify under the law, “absent unformed services voters” must list American Samoa as his or her home of record or legal domicile, and apply for registration on forms established by the Chief Election Officer.

In March 2010, these laws were amended pursuant to the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act and in line with the advent of technological means for transmitting correspondence. Specifically, ASCA § 6.1102(a) was amended to provide absentee voters who fall in the category of US or ASG employees, students, and uniformed service members and overseas voters, electronic methods to request and the election office transmit and accept absentee ballot applications. So as to afford better access to the polls, the absentee ballot request window was expanded to start January 1st of the election year. In addition, ASCA § 6.1103(b) was amended to provide absent uniformed service members and overseas voters the option to request that the election office deliver their blank ballots for the Office of the Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives only.

To qualify to register absentee in American Samoa, U.S. military personnel, their spouses and dependents, must meet minimum voter qualifications established by the American Samoa constitution.

To qualify to vote, you must be:

1. Either a United States Citizen or a United States National;

2. At least 18 years old;

3. Lived in American Samoa for a total of at least 2 years; AND

4. Be a bona fide resident of the election district for at least 1 year preceding the upcoming election.

You shall be disqualified to vote if you are:

1. Determined to be under guardianship, non compos mentis, or insane, or

2. Convicted of a felony.

NOTE: Disqualified voters may reregister to vote once his or her civil rights have been restored or he or she has maintained good behavior for 2 years following the date of conviction or release from prison, whichever is later.