Don’t forget to vote on Election Day, tomorrow, Nov. 3rd

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — More than 1,000 electors have cast ballots through local and overseas absentee ballot for the Nov. 3rd general election, while election officials head to Manu’a this morning taking ballot boxes and blank ballots for registered voters residing in the island group.

Overall total local and overseas absentee ballots cast as of Oct. 29, stands at 1,154, according to Election Office data provided over the weekend responding to Samoa News inquiries.

And with tomorrow, election day, Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei reiterated his verbal message to electors, to “go to the polls and exercise your right to vote” when the designated polling stations are open from 6a.m to 6p.m.

Election Office data shows that as of Oct. 29th, a total of 693 absentee ballots have been cast for overseas, or outside — absentee voters, including 522 under the COVID-19 absentee designation, or active voters stranded off island; 150 for military personnel; fifteen from American Samoa students attending college off island; and six from ASG employees working in the US.

The weekly cargo flight, which arrived last Saturday, is the last incoming flight brining in more absentee ballots before Election Day.

Also as of Oct. 26th, a total of 461 ballots have been cast for local absentee with 252 ballots from voters with a disability, 137 ballots for those who travel off island and won’t be on island on Election Day and 72 for poll workers/officials.  

The close of business today, is the final day for local absentee voting and this includes the rest of the 223 polls workers/officials recruited for the 2020 general election.

Responding to Samoa News following up questions, Chief Election Officer, Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei said over the weekend that three election officials will fly this morning to Manu’a to to deliver ballot boxes, ballots and materials. The election officials will be observing the election in Manu'a.

“So far, we have hired and trained — via Zoom — the people that are staying in Manu'a to conduct the election. There are 9 of them and they have already voted last week,” he explained, noting that one election official flew to Manu’a last week Wednesday to cast a vote and came back the same day.

All 41 designated polling stations territory-wide will be open 12 hours beginning at 6a.m. Poll stations in Manu’a usually close early after all registered voters have cast ballots and election officials will then return to Tutuila later in the afternoon.

Village mayors and police will be assisting election officials at the polling stations on Election Day.

Meanwhile, the governor reminds cabinet directors of local laws, which state that a qualified elector at the general election is entitled to be absent from his or her place of employment for two-consecutive hours — excluding any lunch or rest periods — for the purpose of casting their vote.

The reminder also goes to private sector employers.