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Native America Calling: Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
Friday, July 4, 2025
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Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
Note: This is an encore presentation from Native America Calling.

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.

Tutuila
A view of Tutuila, the largest and most populous island of American Samoa. Photo: Rene

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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