Governor reminds that voters are entitled to time off to cast their ballots

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a Nov. 05 general memorandum, Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga, reminded the public of local law that mandates those who are qualified electors are entitled to leave on Election Day — which this year is Nov. 08 — to cast their ballots at the 41 designated polling stations territory-wide. 

And the governor calls this year’s election, “historic” with voters deciding on the eleven proposed amendments to the Constitution, in the ballot referendum while the Governor’s Office is organizing a “Constitution Wave” set for today, Monday, to bring attention the amendments and urged electors to go to the polls to vote in the 2022 Midterm election.

LEAVE ON ELECTION

In the memo, the governor informed cabinet directors of local law A.S.C.A §6.0504 — which states any qualified voter shall be entitled without penalty or deduction in salary or wages to be absent from his or her place of employment for 2 consecutive hours — excluding lunch or rest periods — for the purpose of casting their vote.

“Supervisory personnel shall see that absences are staggered in a manner to ensure no interruption of government services,” the governor advised his cabinet.

And the governor reminds the public of the local law A.S.C.A §6.0504 is applicable to all employees who are qualified voters regardless of their place of employment.

“Many have fought and given their lives for this right and civic duty. This election is historic with the Constitutional Amendments on the ballot,” the governor said.

And he urged voters to: “Please take time out of your busy schedules to educate yourself on the candidates and issues and to cast your ballot this election day, November 8, 2022.”

CONSTITUTION WAVE

The Governor’s chief of staff, Loa Tuimavave T. Laupola — in a Nov. 04 memo — informed cabinet directors of the “Constitution Wave” which is “to bring attention to the Constitutional Referendum and, most importantly, encourage our people to carry out their civic duty on Election Day...” to go out and vote.

Organized by the Governor’s Office, Loa said that all departments, agencies, and authorities “are encouraged to join us to further awareness of our Constitution and remind our people to exercise their right to vote,” he said, and encouraged wave participants to “Wear Blue”.

Two locations for the wave, which runs from 6:30a.m. to 7:30a.m. — are Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park in Utulei and McDonald’s restaurant in Tafuna.

Besides the Constitutional referendum, voters tomorrow will also cast ballots on the Congressional and the local House of Representatives races, with the polls open for 12 hours starting at 6a.m.