Editing Politics of American Samoa (section)

==Government==
{{main|Government of American Samoa}}

The [[government of American Samoa]] is defined under the [[Constitution of American Samoa]]. As an [[unincorporated territories of the United States|unincorporated territory]], the [[Ratification Act of 1929]] vested all civil, judicial, and military powers in the president, who in turn delegated authority to the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|secretary of the interior]] in {{Executive Order|10264}}. The secretary promulgated the Constitution of American Samoa which was approved by a constitutional convention of the people of American Samoa and a majority of the voters of American Samoa voting at the 1966 election, and came into effect in 1967.<ref name=constitution>[http://asbar.org/revised-constitution-of-american-samoa Revised Constitution of American Samoa], American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>

The [[governor of American Samoa]] is the head of government and along with the [[lieutenant governor of American Samoa]] is elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms.<ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/4-0105-term-of-office/ 4.0105 Term of office], Annotated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>

The legislative power is vested in the [[American Samoa Fono]], which has [[bicameralism|two chambers]]. The [[American Samoa House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] has 21 members serving two-year terms, being 20 representatives popularly elected from various districts and one delegate from [[Swains Island]] elected in a public meeting. The [[American Samoa Senate|Senate]] has 18 members, elected for four-year terms by and from the [[Faʻamatai|chiefs of the islands]].<ref name=constitution/>

The [[judiciary of American Samoa]] is composed of the [[High Court of American Samoa]], a [[District court|District Court]], and village courts.<ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0101-vesting-of-judicial-power/ 3.0101 Vesting of judicial power], Annotated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> The High Court is led by a [[chief justice]] and an [[associate justice]], appointed by the secretary of the interior.<ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1001-chief-and-associate-justices-appointment/ 3.1001 Chief and Associate Justices-Appointment], Annotated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> Other judges are appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the chief justice and confirmed by the Senate.<ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1010-district-court-judges-term/ 3.1010 District court judges-Term], Annotated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref>[https://new.asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1004-associate-judges-appointment-term/ 3.1004 Associate judges-Appointment-Term], Annotated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>