Midterm Election training underway for poll watchers and others

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Election Office training for team leaders, poll-workers and village mayors got underway this week, in preparation for the Nov. 08 Midterm Election, in which registered electors will cast ballots for American Samoa’s Delegate seat to the U.S House, the local House of Representatives race and proposed Constitutional amendments referendum.

Training began on Monday this week for team leaders, poll workers and village mayors, followed on Oct. 26 with training for poll workers for the east side. Yesterday was training for poll workers for the central district while today is training for western side poll workers.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Officer, Uiagalelei Lealofi reminds all certified candidates that the last day to withdraw from the 2022 Midterm Election “due health issues” is today, Oct. 28 at 4:30p.m.

Uiagalelei also reconfirmed that Oct. 25 was the last day to request an off-island absentee ballot from all uniformed services voters, overseas voters — such as ASG personnel working in the U.S — and students attending institutions of learning outside of American Samoa.

As of Wednesday afternoon, this week the Election Office has sent-off 44 overseas absentee ballots and has received back 7 ballots. And total absentee ballots cast so far, including local absentees stands at 296, according to Election Office officials.

Local absentee ballot voting continues — for example — for electors who will be temporarily absent from the territory on Election Day and this voting process is held at the Election Office. And since Oct. 13, Election Office teams have gone out to villages, to assist absentee voting for voters with disabilities, conducted at their homes.

For voters who have lost their voter IDs — which is required to cast a ballot — visit the Election Office to request a replacement.

The total number of registered voters for the 2022 Midterm Election is 14,312 and Uiagalelei calls on all voters to remember to vote on Election Day, as “your voice counts.”

There have been questions from the community about polling stations, but as in past election years, the Election Office releases the designated polling sites in advance of Election Day, giving the public enough time to know the location.

For questions and other information call the Election Office at 699-3570.