Candidates Information

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I. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE

GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR

A. Must be either a United States Citizen or United States National;

B. Must be a bona fide resident of American Samoa for 5 years immediately preceding the election; and

C. Must be at least 35 years old at the time of assuming office.

DELEGATE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1. Must owe allegiance to the United States;

2. Must be an inhabitant of the Territory of American Samoa;

3. Must not be, on the date of election, a candidate for any other office; and

4. Must be at least 25 years old on the date of election.

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (FONO)

1. Must be either a United States Citizen or a United States National;

2. Must have lived in American Samoa for a total of at least 5 years;

3. Must have been a bona fide resident of the representative district from which

he is elected for at least 1 year next preceding his election; and

4. Must be at least 25 years old on the date of election.

II. DISQUALIFICATION

Any person convicted of a felony under the laws of American Samoa, the United States, or the laws of any state of the United States is not eligible for election to the above offices unless the convicted person has been pardoned and has had his civil rights restored.

III. NOMINATION

GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR

Candidates for the office of Governor and Lt. Governor shall be nominated jointly by
filing a petition signed by at least 300 qualified voters without regard to representative district.

DELEGATE TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Candidates for the office of Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives shall be nominated by filing a petition in the same manner as candidates for members of the House of Representatives, except that the nominating petition for each candidate for Delegate shall be signed by at least 300 qualified electors without regard to their representative district.

REPRESENTATIVES TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (FONO)

Candidates for membership in the House of Representatives shall be nominated by filing a petition signed by at least 25 qualified electors of the election district from which the candidate seeks election.

IV. FILING DEADLINE

All candidates must file nomination papers at the Election Office by no later than 4:30 p.m., on September 01st.

V. FILING FEES

GOVERNOR & LT. GOVERNOR: $500.00

DELEGATE: $ 500.00

REPRESENTATIVE: $ 300.00

VI. WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDACY

Candidates who have filed nomination papers may withdraw their candidacy:

· For any reason, provided that it is done not later than the day immediately following the deadline to file nomination papers. To withdraw, the candidate must submit a written notice to the Chief Election Officer expressing his desire to withdraw.

· For reasons of ill health, provided that it is done no later than 10 days prior to the election. To withdraw, the candidate must submit a written notice to the Chief Election Officer accompanied by a statement from a licensed physician certifying the illness claimed.

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