2014 American Samoan constitutional referendum explained

Should Article II, Sections 9 and 19 of the revised constitution of American Samoa be revised to give the Fono, rather than the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Interior, the power to override the Governor's veto?
Country:American Samoa
Date:4 November 2014
Yes:2670
No:7526
Electorate:16776

A constitutional referendum was held in American Samoa on 4 November 2014. The proposed amendment to the constitution would have allowed the Fono to override vetoes by the Governor.[1]

Background

The proposal amendment to the constitution would have allowed the Fono to override vetoes issued by the Governor by a two-thirds majority vote in cases where the Governor rejected legislation that had been passed twice by the Fono. It was approved by the Senate on 18 February 2014, and was supported by Governor Lolo Letalu Matalasi Moliga.[2] As it involved amending the constitution, the proposal would have also needed approval from the United States Congress.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/community-briefs-5?quicktabs_3=1 Community Briefs
  2. http://www.samoanews.com/node/80949 Referendum to override gov's veto—without DOI — one step closer to ballot