1972 American Samoan referendum

American Samoan ballot measure A referendum on direct election of governors and vice governors was held in American Samoa on 7 November 1972 alongside legislative elections.Current Problems in American Samoa United States Congress, pp103–112 Voters were asked to approve a proposal which permitted direct popular election of governors and lieutenant governors. The turnout of 28.20% was very low, and the measure was rejected, with 17.30% voting yes and 82.70 voting no.Amerikanisch-Samoa, 7. August 1972 : Direktwahl des Gouverneurs und des Vizegouverneurs Direct Democracy Results ChoiceVotes%For 17.3Against 82.7Invalid/blank votes –Total 100Registered voters/turnout 28.2Source: Direct Democracy Aftermath Following the referendum, Governor John Morse Haydon was called before a Civil Service Commission tribunal, having been charged with pressurising district governors to encourage voters to vote against the proposals,American Samoa hatches its own mini-Watergate Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1973, p8 and of using state radio and television to oppose the proposal on the day before the vote and polling day.Tough for big fish Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1973, p14 However, the charges were dismissed as it was determined that Haydon had not violated the Hatch Act of 1939, as it only applied to elections and not referendums. An identical measure would be put before voters three more times in 1973, 1974 and August 1976 until it was approved in November 1976. References Category:Referendums in American Samoa Category:1972 in American Samoa American Samoa A