8 Nov 2016

Over 1200 absentee votes cast in American Samoa

10:37 am on 8 November 2016

More than 1200 votes have been cast for early voting in American Samoa through absentee ballots for tomorrow's elections.

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Photo: 123RF

The territory's chief election officer Uiagalelei Dr. Lealaofi Uiagalelei, said the Election Office received 171 requests for absentee ballots from off island voters who are qualified American Samoa electors serving in the US military and students attending institutions of higher education.

As of last Saturday morning, a total of 97 off island absentee electors had returned their ballots.

Uiagalelei said tonight's Hawaiian Air's flight will be the last incoming flight for the mail bringing ballots, which will be quickly sorted tomorrow by the U.S. Postal Service for the Election Office.

As of the weekend, a total of 1,231 electors had already cast local absentee ballots.

These electors, include those who will be absent from the territory on election day, election officials and poll watchers working election day, and those who are confined to the hospital or their home.

Uiagalelei and territory leaders have urged voters to get to the polls to cast ballots for the gubernatorial, congressional and local House races.

Citizens of US territories like American Samoa cannot vote in the general election for President.

Election officials are hoping for a big turn out tomorrow, with 17,339 electors registered in the 2016 voter roll.

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