Many faipule strongly oppose giving foreigners the right to vote

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite comments from the Chief Election Commissioner in support of a House Resolution, which would give foreigners who’ve resided in the territory for 25 consecutive years the right to vote, many Faipule strongly oppose the idea.

The chair of the House Rules Committee, Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui said the intention was to begin discussion of the issue, while knowing there are several steps ahead in the review and approval process.

Fetu, along with Faipule Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i and Lavea Fatulegaee Palepoi Mauga are the sponsors of the measure.

The vice speaker said the main intention is to give “our people from Samoa” who’ve practically lived here all their lives, served families, villages, churches and government, paid taxes, have had children and grandchildren born, educated and working here, the right to vote.

Later on he clarified that this resolution applies to all foreigners who’ve lived in the territory for 25 consecutive years.

Fetu said American Samoa is under the United States, a democratic country and the right to vote is a hallmark of democratic nations. Fetu also believes giving voting rights to this group is the Christian thing to do.

Chief Election Commissioner, Dr Lealofi Uiagalelei, said he supports the intention of the resolution and commended the vice speaker and sponsors of the measure for initiating the discussion of voting rights for long-time foreign born residents.

However, all of the faipule present at the hearing were against the resolution pointing out that they have to safeguard their birthrights and the right to vote is a sacred one.

They said they also have to think of the future of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They said long-time residents who are not born here are represented by their local born children at the polls, and they are receiving benefits from the local and federal government.

Other faipule who voiced their opposition to the measure were Avagafono Tuavao Vaimaga Maiava, Lua’itaua Gene Pan and Andra Tereise Samoa.

One of these faipule said one of their parents was not born in American Samoa, but they do not support the measure.

Other faipule who voiced their opposition to the proposed resolution were Logoitu’au Mark Atafua, Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen and Vesiai Poyer Samelu.

The Manu’a #2 Faipule Tioali’i Fau said his district objects to the resolution.

The bill reads in part: “Whereas generations of foreign national migrants have lived among American Samoan US nationals for decades, most have made families in the territory and a countless number who came when they were children were educated with US nationals.

”They worked together, worshipped together and have truly shared the culture in the territory. Those with professional training have educated our children, treated our sick, built our homes, and have even made our food. They pay taxes and have contributed to the growth of almost every facet of American Samoa and;

“Whereas given the great contribution by foreign born residents it is extremely inequitable that they are not able to select representatives to public office. The territory should provide to non-US national residents [the right] to cast a vote in local elections.  It is the most prudent and fair right to provide to those who have given so much to the territory.”

The proposed amendment would change Article 2 Section 7 of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa by adding the following language to Qualification of Electors:

“A non US national may become a qualified elector after attaining the age of 25 or upwards, has legally lived for no less than 25 consecutive years in American Samoa and is a bonafide resident of the election district where he offers to vote for at least two years from the next preceding election and meets registration requirements as may be prescribed by law.

The resolution requests the Governor to submit this amendment to the voters in the November 2022 general elections.

This is not the first time that such a measure has been introduced in the Fono. The first attempt was made by Governor Tauese Sunia in his first term as Governor more than 20 years ago. It was never reported out of Committee.

Senate rejects House amendment for two 60-day sessions per year

Senators have rejected the House amendments to the Senate joint resolution to have the Fono meet year round.

The House of Representatives had its own views on the duration of legislative sessions, different from the Senate, amending the resolution to have the Fono meet for two 60-day sessions per year. At present the Fono has two 45-day sessions per year.

The Senate joint resolution proposed that the Fono meet year round instead of 90 days per year.

After receiving the note from the Senate, Speaker of the House, Savali Talavou Ale during this week’s session called for a Conference Committee to discuss the issue at hand. According to Savali, the conference committee must meet sometime this morning before the Fono dismisses.