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Native America Calling: Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
An illegal voting case in Alaska highlights lingering confusion over the rights extended to the citizens of American Samoa, a territory of the United States.
Eleven Samoans are charged with felonies for alleged voter fraud by participating in their local election in Whittier. All have U.S. passports, were born on U.S. soil, and can even participate in the presidential primary process.
The territory of American Samoa has been under heavy colonial pressure for centuries and has been under U.S. oversight for more than 125 years. But Congress never granted its citizens the right to vote in national elections.
In another case, tribes in North Dakota were dealt a serious blow in their ongoing fight against redistricting that reduces their collective power in state elections.
Guests on Native America Calling
Charles Ala’ilima (Samoan), attorney and board member for Right to Democracy
Tafilisaunoa Toleafoa (Samoan), executive director of the Pacific Community of Alaska
Nicole Donaghy (Hunkpapa Lakota), executive director of North Dakota Native Vote
Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy
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