American Samoan general election, 2008
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General elections was held in American Samoa on 4 November 2008, coinciding with the 2008 United States general elections.
Contents
Gubernatorial election
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Incumbent governor Togiola Tulafono sought re-election. The gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008.
U.S. Congressional election
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Ten term incumbent Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat, sought an 11th term.[1] He was challenged by Republican Aumua Amata Coleman and Independent Rosie F. Tago Lancaster.[2]
American Samoa House of Representatives election
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There were 54 candidates vying for the 20 elected seats in the American Samoa House of Representatives.[2] All seats in the House are up for election in 2008. Every incumbent member of the House sought re-election, except for Gaoteote P. Gaoteote who is retiring.[2] The only member who ran unopposed was Rep. Agaoleatu Charlie Tautolo.[2]
| District 1 Tau | District 2 Ofu/ Olosega | District 3 Vaifanua |
|---|---|---|
| Mapu Puaopea F. Paopao 260 | Faafetai Iaulualo 340 | Meleagi Suitona Chapman 79 |
| Aloalii Maui 294 | Fetui Fetui Jr. 360 |
Referendum
A referendum to allow the legislative override of the governor’s vetoes was on the ballot on November 4, 2008.[3]
The American Samoa Fono passed the proposal giving itself the authority to override a veto by the Governor of American Samoa.[3] The proposal was then submitted to the Governor's office to be forwarded to the American Samoa election office as a referendum.[3] The referendum will ask voters to agree to amend the Constitution of American Samoa to give the Fono, rather than the United States Secretary of the Interior, the power to override a veto by the Governor.[3]
Currently, a veto can only be overridden by the United States Secretary of the Interior, who is based in Washington D.C.[3] Any veto powers bestowed on the Fono would require a two-thirds majority in both the American Samoa House of Representatives and the American Samoa Senate before becoming law.[3]
Results
The legislative over-ride proposal was defeated narrowly in the referendum, thereby maintaining the veto powers to the United States Secretary of the Interior.[3]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| No | 6,159 | 50.1 |
| Yes | 6,137 | 49.9 |
| Total valid votes | 12,296 | 100.0 |
| Source: American Samoa Election Office | ||
