Legislative elections were held in

American Samoa American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the International ...

in November 1968.1968 a controversial year in American Samoa
''Pacific Islands Monthly'', January 1969, pp34, 153, 155

Campaign

The elections were held amidst a major debate over whether inhabitants of the territory should seek American citizenship. Further antagonism was caused by Governor

Owen Stuart Aspinall Owen Stuart Aspinall (September 21, 1927 – February 7, 1997) was an American attorney and politician who served as the 45th Governor of American Samoa from August 1, 1967, to July 31, 1969. He was born in Grand Junction, Colorado; his fat ...

vetoing constitutional amendments that would grant the Legislature authority over job appointments and spending. In June 1968 the Democratic Party of American Samoa affiliated to the American

Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democratic Party (United States) Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to: Active parties Africa *Botswana Democratic Party *Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea *Gabonese Democratic Party *Demo ...

. Party members were in favour of American citizenship and an elected Governor. The American Samoa Party was established in August, with the objective of retaining the chieftainship system and communal land ownership. In September the

Republicans Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

was formed and affiliated with the American

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) * Republican Part ...

. The party opposed American citizenship, the chieftainship system and educational television.

Results

Only five incumbents in the 20-seat House of Representatives were re-elected. Party affiliation was unclear, with the Democratic Party estimated to have nine members, the Republicans five and the American Samoa Party two; the remaining four members were independents.

References

{{American Samoan elections

Legislative A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government. Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known as p ...

Elections in American Samoa