Voting Rights Guide: American Samoa (AS)
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Voting Rights Guide: American Samoa (AS)

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Voting Rights Guide: American Samoa (AS)

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IMPORTANT: Voting laws change frequently. Always verify information with official government sources before acting. This guide was last updated: 2026-07-11. If you find an error, report it immediately.

Jurisdiction Type: Territory

## Table of Contents

1. Voter Registration

2. Birth Certificates

3. Proof of Citizenship Documents

4. How to Vote

5. Voting Laws & Legal Resources

6. If You Are Denied the Right to Vote

7. Resources & Contacts

Voter Registration

Same-Day Registration: NO — you must register before Election Day.

Registration Deadline: 29 days before Election Day by mail and in-person Photo ID Required to Register: Yes Accepted IDs: government-issued photo ID

Registration Links

Notes: American Samoa does not offer online voter registration. Applicants must furnish identification duly issued by a governmental agency containing a photographic likeness. Voters must be U.S. nationals and have lived in American Samoa for at least 2 years.

Birth Certificates

A birth certificate may be needed to prove citizenship or obtain other identity documents.

Issuing Agency: American Samoa Government Department of Homeland Security Office of Vital Statistics Fee: $5 direct from agency, $15 first copy/$10 additional copies through VitalChek (plus processing fees) Standard Processing Time: verify Expedited Option: Available through VitalChek

How to Request

  • Request Online
  • By Mail: American Samoa Government Department of Homeland Security Office of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 6894, Pago Pago, AS 96799

Notes: Money orders payable to Office of Vital Statistics/ASG. Personal checks not accepted. ID verification required. Records available since 1900. Phone: (684) 633-1405/1406.

Proof of Citizenship Documents

You may need proof of citizenship to register to vote or to obtain a REAL ID.

Accepted Documents

  • verify

How to Obtain Citizenship Proof

verify

For US Citizens Abroad

verify

Notes: American Samoa has unique citizenship status requirements. People born in American Samoa are generally U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens. When registering to vote using the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA), no proof of citizenship is required in American Samoa. However, voters must attest that they are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Those born in American Samoa are entitled to U.S. passports (marked as nationals, not citizens) and may apply for citizenship through naturalization after three months of residency in the U.S. The intermediate non-citizen national status affects voting rights in federal elections.

How to Vote

Voting in Person

Photo ID Required: Yes Accepted IDs: v, e, r, i, f, y Polls Open: 6am-6pm Find Your Polling Place

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Verify your registration at least 29 days before Election Day
  2. Step 2: Find your polling place
  3. Step 3: Vote in person at your assigned polling place on Election Day between 6am-6pm

Voting by Mail

Mail voting is NOT available in this jurisdiction without an excuse. Application Deadline: Not applicable – no general mail voting available Ballot Return Deadline: Not applicable – no general mail voting available Request Mail Ballot

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Excuse Required: Yes Accepted Excuses:

  • Travel for medical treatment
  • Travel for military-related assignments
  • Travel for employment-related training, conference or assignments
  • Vacation travel

Application Deadline: Request after ballots are available up to 4:30pm the day before election Absentee Ballot Application

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Verify you have an accepted reason for absence
  2. Step 2: Request absentee ballot in person or in writing from Chief Election Officer
  3. Step 3: Provide proof of travel
  4. Step 4: Submit your completed ballot to the Election Office before travel

Early Voting

Early voting is available. Begins: verify days before Election Day Find Early Voting Locations

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Verify you will be temporarily absent from the Territory on Election Day
  2. Step 2: Request early voting via absentee ballot from Chief Election Officer
  3. Step 3: Provide proof of travel
  4. Step 4: Submit vote to Election Office before travel

Voting Laws & Legal Resources

American Samoa requires voters to be U.S. nationals, at least 18 years old on election day, and have lived in American Samoa for at least 2 years. Voters must register in their election district and provide photo identification issued by a governmental agency along with their Social Security Number, date of birth, age, and residence information. Political parties are not officially utilized in elections. If no candidate receives 51% of the vote in a general election, a runoff is held 14 days later between the top two vote getters.

Absentee voting is available for military service members and overseas citizens using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). American Samoa does not require ID to register absentee ballots. Uniformed service members and overseas voters may vote in elections for the Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, and military members listing American Samoa as their home of record may also vote in local elections.

Voting Rights Law Firms

  • Mooney Wieland Warren — verify (General legal services including governmental licensing and commercial litigation)
  • Perkins Coie — verify (Voting rights and election litigation)

If You Are Denied the Right to Vote

Know your rights. You have the right to vote if you are eligible. If denied, do NOT leave — ask for a provisional ballot.

Denied Enroute to the Polling Place

  1. Step 1: Confirm you are registered to vote at your current address
  2. Step 2: Verify you are going to the correct polling place for your precinct
  3. Step 3: If transportation issues, call Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683
  4. Step 4: Contact American Samoa Election Office at 684-699-3570 for assistance

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 1-866-687-8683 — For voting access issues and transportation problems

Denied at the Polling Place

  1. Step 1: Ask for provisional ballot if you believe you are eligible to vote
  2. Step 2: Do not leave the polling place – stay and get help
  3. Step 3: Call Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683 immediately
  4. Step 4: Verify you are at the correct polling place for your precinct
  5. Step 5: If recently moved, check if you can update registration and vote regular ballot
  6. Step 6: Contact American Samoa Election Office at 684-699-3570

Provisional Ballot: American Samoa recognizes challenged ballots for voters whose eligibility is questioned. If your name is not on the registration list or your identity is challenged, you may be able to cast a challenged ballot. The specific process should be confirmed with poll workers.

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 1-866-687-8683 — If told you’re not on voter roll or denied voting access

Mail Ballot Denied or Not Received

  1. Step 1: Contact American Samoa Election Office at 684-699-3570 to inquire about mail voting procedures
  2. Step 2: Verify specific deadlines and requirements for mail voting
  3. Step 3: If denied, call Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683
  4. Step 4: Consider alternative voting methods if mail voting is not available

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 1-866-687-8683 — For mail voting access issues

Absentee Ballot Denied

  1. Step 1: Contact American Samoa Election Office at 684-699-3570 to inquire about specific absentee voting procedures and deadlines
  2. Step 2: Verify you meet absentee voting requirements (absent from territory or present but absent from polling location)
  3. Step 3: If denied, call Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683
  4. Step 4: Military and overseas voters should contact FVAP for Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot options

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 1-866-687-8683 — For absentee voting access issues

Denied During Early Voting

  1. Step 1: Contact American Samoa Election Office at 684-699-3570 to verify early voting availability and procedures
  2. Step 2: Confirm early voting locations and hours
  3. Step 3: If early voting is denied or unavailable, call Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683
  4. Step 4: Plan to vote on Election Day if early voting is not available

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 1-866-687-8683 — For early voting access issues

Resources & Contacts

Official State Resources

National Voting Rights Resources

News Organizations to Contact

Social Media Contacts

  • verify: verify (verify)

Sources

This guide was compiled from the following sources:

  • https://vote.gov/
  • https://www.fvap.gov/
  • https://www.electionoffice.as/
  • https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id
  • https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/absentee-and-early-voting
  • https://866ourvote.org/
  • https://www.eac.gov/american-samoa-voter-info
  • https://www.aselectionoffice.gov/registration
  • https://www.fvap.gov/guide/chapter2/american-samoa
  • https://www.eac.gov/node/61431
  • https://www.usvotefoundation.org/state-voter-information/american-samoa
  • https://ruvoting.rutgers.edu/states/american-samoa
  • https://justfacts.votesmart.org/elections/voter-registration/AS
  • https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Samoa.html
  • https://www.vitalchek.com/v/birth-certificates/american-samoa/american-samoa-department-of-homeland-security
  • https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/american_samoa.htm
  • http://www.vitalrec.com/as.html
  • https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/certified-copy-local-birth-certificate-can-be-ordered-online
  • https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/american-samoa
  • https://www.yewlegal.com/how-us-nationals-from-american-samoa-can-obtain-full-citizenship

Last Updated: 2026-07-11 | Generated by Patriot Agent Voting Rights Knowledge Base

Verify all information with official government sources before acting.

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