[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

118 STAT. 2200

Public Law 108-376
108th Congress

An Act


 
To protect the voting rights of members of the Armed Services in
elections for the Delegate representing American Samoa in the United
States House of Representatives, and for other purposes. NOTE: Oct.
30, 2004 -  [H.R. 2010]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. NOTE: 48 USC 1732 note. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) It is in the national interest that qualifying members
of the Armed Forces on active duty and other overseas voters be
allowed to vote in Federal elections.
(2) Since 1980, when the first election for the
Congressional Delegate from American Samoa was held, general
elections have been held in the first week of November in even-
numbered years and runoff elections have been held 2 weeks
later.
(3) This practice of holding a run-off election 2 weeks
after a general election deprives members of the Armed Forces on
active duty and other overseas voters of the opportunity to
participate in the Federal election process in American Samoa.
(4) Prior to and since September 11, 2001, and due to
limited air service, mail delays, and other considerations, it
has been and remains impossible for absentee ballots to be
prepared and returned within a 2-week period.
(5) American Samoa law requiring members of the Armed Forces
on active duty and other overseas voters to register in person
also prevents participation in the Federal election process and
is contrary to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act.
(6) Given that 49 states elect their Representatives to the
United States House of Representatives by plurality, it is in
the national interest for American Samoa to do the same until
such time as the American Samoa Legislature establishes primary
elections and declares null and void the local practice of
requiring members of the Armed Forces on active duty and other
overseas voters to register in person which is contrary to the
federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

SEC. 2. NOTE: 48 USC 1732. PLURALITY OF VOTES REQUIRED FOR ELECTION
OF DELEGATE.

Section 2 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide that the Territory
of American Samoa be represented by a nonvoting Delegate


[[Page 2201]]
118 STAT. 2201

to the United States House of Representatives, and for other purposes'',
approved October 31, 1978 (48 U.S.C. 1732; Public Law 95-556) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``majority'' and inserting
``plurality'' the first place it appears; and
(B) by striking ``If no candidate'' and all that
follows through ``office of Delegate.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:

``(c) Establishment of Primary Elections.--The legislature of
American Samoa may, but is not required to, provide for primary
elections for the election of Delegate.
``(d) Effect of Establishment of Primary Elections.--Notwithstanding
subsection (a), if the legislature of American Samoa provides for
primary elections for the election of Delegate, the Delegate shall be
elected by a majority of votes cast in any subsequent general election
for the office of Delegate for which such primary elections were
held.''.

SEC. 3. NOTE: 48 USC 1732 note. EFFECTIVE DATES.

The amendments made by paragraph (1) of section 2 shall take effect
on January 1, 2006. The amendment made by paragraph (2) of section 2
shall take effect on January 1, 2005.

Approved October 30, 2004.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2010:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108-515 (Comm. on Resources).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 108-377 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 150 (2004):
June 14, considered and passed House.
Oct. 10, considered and passed Senate.