Eleven proposed constitutional amendments will be put to the voters in the November 8th general elections.
A sample of the referendum ballot form, provided by the Election Office, shows that the 11 amendments are printed on a legal size paper with instructions at the top, to place an X or √ inside the circle corresponding to the answer of your choice. The instructions are in English and Samoan.
Next is this question, in English and Samoan: Do you approve the following amendments to the 1967 Revised Constitution?
Amendments are listed in English and Samoan with two circles next to each one. One circle has Yes/Ioe next to it and below it, is a circle with No/Leai next to it. The voter has to place an X or √ in the circle with either Yes/Ioe or No/Leai.
These are the proposed amendments:
1# The Governor shall appoint the Chief Justice and Associate Justices subject to confirmation by the Legislature.
#2 The Secretary of Interior shall not have the power to change the decisions of the High Court of American Samoa.
#3 The Secretary of Interior shall not have the power to change the Legislature’s override of the Governor’s veto
#4 This amendment shall add one (1 ) seat to Representative District Ituau and add one (1) seat to Representative District – Tuala-uta. The total number of Representatives would increase from 20 to 22.
#5 This amendment shall include Malaeimi in Representative District #12 – Ituau.
#6 This amendment will give the Delegate from Swains Island the right to vote in the House of Representatives.
#7 This amendment will restore five (5) Senators to Manu’a. The total number of Senators would increase from 18 to 20.
#8 This amendment shall include an impeachment process for the Governor and Lt Governor.
#9 This amendment shall change the name Government of American Samoa to American Samoa Government.
#10 This amendment shall change “Ma’uputasi” to “Ma’oputasi.”
#11 This amendment shall change “Leasina” to “Leasina ma Aitulagi.”
A separate ballot form will list the candidates for the American Samoa House of Representatives, with instructions to vote for one candidate or two for those districts with two seats in the House.
The voter is instructed to place an X or √ inside the circle corresponding to the name of the candidate(s) of their choice,
Below the names of the House candidates is delegate to the US House of Representatives, with the instructions to vote for one candidate.
The only name listed is Aumua Amata, who is running unopposed.
Click here for a sample of the ballot formhttps://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/594/2022/09/09233026/Official-2022-Referendum-Ballot-Legal-Size-Sample-.docx.pdf
