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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This article has been corrected. 1 correction — see Corrections at the end of this article.

IMPORTANT: Voting laws change frequently. Always verify information with official government sources before acting. This guide was last updated: 2026-09-16. 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 (for the November 3, 2026 general election, the in-person registration deadline is October 5, 2026) Photo ID Required to Register: Yes Accepted IDs: Government-issued ID containing a photographic likeness of the applicant

Registration Links

Notes: American Samoa does NOT offer online voter registration. Register in person or by mail at the election office. There is a conflict in the sources about ID: American Samoa law (aselectionoffice.gov) and respectmyvote.com state a government-issued photo ID is REQUIRED to register, while US Vote Foundation states no ID is required — treat the photo ID requirement as the safer assumption and verify with the election office. Absent uniformed service members and overseas voters may register in absentia to vote for the U.S. House Delegate. People with felony convictions may have voting rights restored after completing incarceration and two years of good behavior. Verify all deadlines directly with the American Samoa Election Office.

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: verify – sources conflict: agency fee listed as $5.00, $7.00, and $10.00 across different sources; VitalChek online order lists $15 first copy plus processing (total reported as $22.75) Standard Processing Time: verify Expedited Option: Online ordering via VitalChek available on an expedited basis; total cost reported as $22.75 ($10 agency fee + $12.75 VitalChek processing)

How to Request

  • Request Online
  • By Mail: Office of Vital Statistics, PO Box 6894, Pago Pago, AS 96799

Notes: Fee amounts vary significantly between sources and should be verified directly with the agency before mailing payment. Money order should be made payable to Office of Vital Statistics/ASG. Personal checks are NOT accepted. Verification of identity (driver’s license or passport) is required before the record will be sent. Birth records are available since 1900. Phone: (684) 633-1405. Note: one older source lists a Governor’s Office Registrar of Vital Records with phone (684) 633-1406 – verify current issuing office.

Proof of Citizenship Documents

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

Accepted Documents

  • Previous U.S. Passport
  • U.S. Birth Certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certified birth certificate demonstrating U.S. nationality

How to Obtain Citizenship Proof

Important: People born in American Samoa are U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens by birth. To become a full U.S. citizen, you must go through naturalization. If you have lived in the United States (including American Samoa) continuously for five years, you can apply for full U.S. citizenship through naturalization. After approval, you take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony, surrender your non-citizen national passport, and obtain a U.S. citizen passport. American Samoa nationals are not required to first obtain lawful permanent resident (green card) status before applying. Note: USCIS does not have offices in American Samoa, so verify where to file your application.

For US Citizens Abroad

verify

Notes: CRITICAL DISTINCTION: Persons born in American Samoa are U.S. NATIONALS, not U.S. CITIZENS. U.S. nationals cannot vote in federal elections, run for office where citizenship is required, or serve on juries until they naturalize as full citizens. This distinction has led to legal cases (as of 2026, Alaska dropped voter misconduct cases against American Samoa-born residents who mistakenly registered as citizens). A U.S. passport issued to a national may say ‘national’ rather than ‘citizen,’ so it does not by itself prove citizenship. For voting IN American Samoa’s local elections, ID requirements differ from proof of citizenship — a valid American Samoa Voter ID, U.S. Passport, or a combination of government photo ID plus birth certificate may be used. Always confirm current requirements with the American Samoa Election Office.

How to Vote

Voting in Person

Photo ID Required: Yes Accepted IDs: American Samoa Voter’s ID, Other Government Issued Photo ID, Birth Certificate, Proof of residency in the Territory as a US National or US Citizen Polls Open: 6am-6pm Find Your Polling Place

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Make sure you are registered to vote. Registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day (Mon Oct 5, 2026 for the Nov 3, 2026 general election).
  2. Step 2: Bring your American Samoa Voter’s ID, another government-issued photo ID, birth certificate, or proof of residency as a US National or US Citizen.
  3. Step 3: Go to your polling place on Election Day. Polls are open 6am to 6pm.
  4. Step 4: Check in with poll workers, receive your ballot, and cast your vote.

Voting by Mail

Mail voting is available — no excuse required. Application Deadline: Received by Mon Oct 19, 2026 4:30PM (for the Nov 3, 2026 general election) Ballot Return Deadline: Received by Tue Nov 3, 2026 1:30PM Request Mail Ballot

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Confirm you are a registered voter in American Samoa.
  2. Step 2: Download and complete the absentee ballot form from the American Samoa Election Office.
  3. Step 3: Submit your request so it is received by Mon Oct 19, 2026 4:30PM.
  4. Step 4: Complete your ballot and return it so it is received by Tue Nov 3, 2026 1:30PM.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Application Deadline: Received by Mon Oct 19, 2026 4:30PM (note: one source lists Oct 9, 2026 as the deadline to apply for a mail/electronic absentee ballot — verify with the Election Office) Absentee Ballot Application

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Confirm you meet the criteria for absentee voting (in-territory absentee voting is open to any qualified voter; off-island absentee voting has specific eligibility requirements).
  2. Step 2: Download and complete the absentee ballot form from the American Samoa Election Office.
  3. Step 3: Submit your application by the deadline (received by Oct 19, 2026 4:30PM).
  4. Step 4: Complete and return your ballot so it is received by Nov 3, 2026 1:30PM.

Early Voting

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

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Step 1: Early voting availability is unclear. USVote Foundation lists ‘None on Record,’ but one source mentions early voting begins for the Northern Islands.
  2. Step 2: Contact the American Samoa Election Office to confirm early voting dates and locations.

Voting Laws & Legal Resources

American Samoa runs nonpartisan elections through the American Samoa Election Office. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Election Day, and anyone in line before 6:00 p.m. is allowed to vote. Voters register in person at the elections office. To register, applicants must provide identification issued by a government agency that includes a photo, and complete a sworn affidavit that includes their name, Social Security number, date of birth, age, and residence. There is no early voting on record. If no candidate receives at least 51% of the vote in a General Election, a runoff between the top two candidates is held 14 days later.

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 heading to the correct polling place in your precinct. In American Samoa you must vote in the precinct where you live.
  2. Step 2: If transportation or access problems threaten to prevent you from voting, contact the American Samoa Election Office right away for guidance.
  3. Step 3: If you believe you are being wrongly blocked from voting, call the national Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for help.
  4. Step 4: Write down names, times, and what happened in case you need to file a complaint or appeal.

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call if you are being wrongly denied the ability to vote

Denied at the Polling Place

  1. Step 1: Ask the poll worker (district official) why you are being denied and confirm you are at the correct precinct.
  2. Step 2: Confirm your voter registration status. If you were denied at registration, American Samoa law lets you appeal to the board of registration (A.S.C.A. §§ 6.0224, 6.0230).
  3. Step 3: You must exhaust administrative remedies (the board of registration and any judicial review) before going to court over a voting or registration challenge.
  4. Step 4: Do not leave without seeking help. Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683.
  5. Step 5: Document the denial: names, time, precinct, and what you were told.

Provisional Ballot: Provisional ballot procedures specific to American Samoa could not be confirmed from the available sources. American Samoa law provides that a person denied voter registration may appeal to the board of registration, and an adverse decision may be subject to judicial review (A.S.C.A. §§ 6.0224, 6.0230). If you are denied a regular ballot, ask election officials whether a provisional ballot is available and request written information. Verify current provisional ballot rules with the American Samoa Election Office.

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call immediately if turned away at the polls
  • API-VOTE Hotline (Tagalog and other Asian/Pacific languages) 888-274-8683 — Language assistance hotline

Mail Ballot Denied or Not Received

  1. Step 1: Contact the American Samoa Election Office to confirm the specific cases, procedures, and deadlines for mail/absentee voting, which vary by category.
  2. Step 2: If your mail ballot request or ballot is rejected, ask for the specific reason and how to fix (cure) it.
  3. Step 3: If you believe the denial is improper, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683.
  4. Step 4: Keep copies of all ballot requests, envelopes, and correspondence.

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call if your mail ballot is wrongly rejected

Absentee Ballot Denied

  1. Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. In American Samoa, any voter who will be absent from the Territory, or present but absent from their polling location, may qualify for absentee voting. Inquire with the Election Office for specific categories and deadlines.
  2. Step 2: If your absentee application is denied, ask for the reason in writing and how to correct it.
  3. Step 3: If you were denied registration underlying your absentee request, you may appeal to the board of registration (A.S.C.A. §§ 6.0224, 6.0230).
  4. Step 4: Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 if the denial appears improper.

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call for help with absentee ballot denial

Denied During Early Voting

  1. Step 1: Confirm whether early voting is offered and where, by contacting the American Samoa Election Office.
  2. Step 2: If you are denied, ask for the specific reason and confirm you are at the correct location and precinct.
  3. Step 3: Call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 if you believe you are being wrongly denied.
  4. Step 4: Document names, times, and details of the denial.

Resources:

Emergency Contacts:

  • Election Protection Hotline 866-687-8683 — Call if denied during early voting

Resources & Contacts

Official State Resources

National Voting Rights Resources

News Organizations to Contact

Social Media Contacts

  • Twitter/X: @ACLU (advocacy)
  • Web: Right to Democracy (righttodemocracy.us) (advocacy)

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: 2026-09-16 | Generated by Patriot Agent Voting Rights Knowledge Base

Verify all information with official government sources before acting.

Corrections

Correction [2026-09-08]: Stated that mail voting is not available in American Samoa and that no ballot return deadline applies, while the same document described a live absentee process. A.S.C.A. section 6.1105 requires absentee ballots to be RECEIVED by 1:30 p.m. on Election Day — four and a half hours before polls close, and unusually early. Readers were given no deadline for a deadline that exists. Source: https://asbar.org/.

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