American Samoa, Amendment 4, House of Representatives Size Measure (2022)
| American Samoa Amendment 4 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic State legislative structure |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Constitutional convention referral |
Origin |
American Samoa Amendment 4 was on the ballot as a constitutional convention referral in American Samoa on November 8, 2022. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported increasing the size of the House of Representatives from 20 to 22 by adding one seat to District Ituau and one seat to District Tuala-uta. |
A "no" vote opposed increasing the size of the House of Representatives from 20 to 22 by adding one seat to District Ituau and one seat to District Tuala-uta. |
Election results
|
American Samoa Amendment 4 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 2,573 | 37.84% | ||
|
|
4,227 | 62.16% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Amendment 4 was as follows:
| “ | This amendment shall add one (1 ) seat to Representative District Ituau and add one (1) seat to Representative District – Tuala-uta. The total number of Representatives would increase from 20 to 22. | ” |
Background
American Samoa House of Representatives apportionment
As of 2022, Article II of the American Samoa Constitution apportioned representatives as follows:[1]
| District | District region | Number of representatives |
|---|---|---|
| Representative District No. 1, | composed of Ta'u, Fitiuta and Faleasao, | two representatives; |
| Representative District No. 2, | composed of Ofu, Olosega and Sili, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 3, | Vaifanua - composed of the Villages of Alao, Aoa, Onenoa, Tula and Vatia, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 4, | Saole - composed of the Villages of Aunuu, Amouli, Utumea and Alofau, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 5, | Sua No. I - composed of the Villages of Fagaitua, Amaua, Auto, Avaio, Alega, Aumi and Laulii, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 6, | Sua No. 2 - composed of the Villages of Sailele, Masausi, Masefau and Afono, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 7. Ma'uputasi No. I | composed of the Villages of Fatumafuti, Fagaalu and Utulei, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 8, Ma'uputasi No. 2 | composed of the Village of Fagatogo, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 9, Ma'uputasi No. 3 | composed of the Village of Pago Pago, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 10, Ma'uputasi No. 4 | composed of the Villages of Satala, Atuu and Leloaloa, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 11, Ma'uputasi No. 5 | composed of the Village of Aua | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 12, Ituau | composed of the Villages of Nu'uuli, Fagasa, Matuu and Faganeanea, | two representativs; |
| Representative District No. 13, Fofo | composed of the Villages of Leone and Auma, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 14, Lealataua | composed of the Villages of Fagamalo, Fagalii, Poloa, Amanave, Failolo, Agagulu, Seetaga, Nua, Atauloma, Afao, Amaluia and Asili, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 15, Ma'upu | composed of the Villages of Tafuna, Mesepa, Faleniu, Mapusap Fou, Pavaiai, Iliili and Vaitogi, | two representatives; |
| Representative District No. 16, Tualatai | composed of the Villages of Futiga, Ituau (Malaeloa), Taputimu and Vailoatai, | one representative; |
| Representative District No. 17, Leasina | composed of the Villages of Aitulagi (Malaeloa), Aoloau and Aasu. | one representative; |
American Samoa constitutional conventions
As of 2022, the American Samoa Constitution authorized the governor to appoint a Constitutional Committee to propose amendments to a constitutional convention. Delegates to the constitutional convention were selected by their respective county councils. The number of delegates per county was calculated by dividing the population of the county by 400, and every county was guaranteed at least one delegate. Amendments proposed needed to receive a simple majority vote by voters and be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Interior.
The 2022 convention was the 6th convention since 1966. The last convention occurred in 2010. The 2010 referendum asked voters one question: "Do you approve the 2010 amendments to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa?" The question was rejected by a margin of 70.1% opposing the amendments to 29.9% supporting.[2][3][4]
Path to the ballot
The American Samoa Constitution authorized the governor to call a constitutional convention consisting of delegates appointed by county councils. The 6th Constitutional Convention of American Samoa convened on August 29, 2022, and adjourned on September 2, 2022. The number of delegates appointed was 129. The convention voted to refer 11 constitutional amendments to the ballot.[5][2]
The amendments needed a simple majority vote for approval. If approved, the amendments also needed to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Interior.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ American Samoa Bar Association," Revised Constitution," accessed October 4, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Samoa, "Office of the Governor of Samoa," June 20, 2022
- ↑ Samoa News, "ELECTION UPDATE: Sample ballot for referendum released," accessed October 3, 2022
- ↑ Samoa News, "Voters strongly reject constitutional revisions," November 3, 2010
- ↑ Talanei.com, "11 proposed constitutional changes on the ballot," September 9, 2022
| ||||||||||||||||||||
