AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT

The government of American Samoa operates as a territorial government under the jurisdiction of the United States. American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the U.S., meaning it is under American sovereignty but does not have all the constitutional rights of a U.S. state.

1. Political Structure: The territory follows a mixed government structure that includes traditional Samoan governance alongside American political systems. The government is divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

   
   



2. Executive Branch: The head of the executive branch is the Governor, who, along with the Lieutenant Governor, is elected by popular vote for four-year terms. As of my most recent update, the Governor is Lemanu Peleti Mauga, but this might have changed, so please verify current officeholders.

   
   



3. Legislative Branch: The Legislature, known as the Fono, is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senators are not elected but are chosen by traditional county councils, known as matai, whereas Representatives are elected by popular vote.

   
   



4. Judicial Branch: The judicial system of American Samoa includes the High Court of American Samoa, District Courts, and Village Courts. The High Court is the highest court, and its judges are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

   
   



5. Economy and Services: As a government entity, they oversee the provision of public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The economy is largely dependent on U.S. financial assistance and fisheries, with American Samoa being one of the primary locations for tuna canning operations.

   
   



6. Language and Culture: The government supports both English and Samoan as official languages, reflecting the cultural heritage of the people. Traditional customs (fa'a Samoa) are deeply integrated into governance and community life.

   
   



7. Relation to the U.S.: Residents of American Samoa are U.S. nationals but not U.S. citizens. This status allows them to work and live in the U.S. without restrictions but does not grant them the right to vote in federal elections.

   
   

If you need further information about specific departments or recent legislative actions, visiting the official government website or reaching out directly to their administrative offices might be helpful.