Alaska Voter Misconduct Case Spotlights American Samoa's Citizenship Complexity

Thu Jan 15 2026 15:28:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An Alaskan woman faces felony charges over a voting misunderstanding related to her American Samoan nationality, raising questions about citizenship rules in U.S. territories.

Tupe Smith, born in American Samoa, is appealing felony voter misconduct charges after mistakenly identifying herself as a U.S. citizen while registering to vote in Alaska. Her case, along with nine others from American Samoa, highlights the unique citizenship status of those born in this U.S. territory, where residents are considered U.S. nationals and not automatically granted citizenship. Supporters claim Smith acted innocently based on advice from local officials, while the state argues she intentionally misrepresented her status. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for voter fraud laws across the U.S.

In a significant legal battle, Tupe Smith from Alaska is contesting felony voter misconduct charges linked to her American Samoan nationality. Despite being a U.S. national and not automatically entitled to U.S. citizenship, Smith registered to vote in Alaska, only to find herself facing allegations that she falsely claimed citizenship. Her case is one of many involving residents from American Samoa, where the rules surrounding citizenship are unique.

With support from advocates asserting that her actions stemmed from confusion based on instructions from local election officials, Smith insists she believed she could vote in local elections. However, the state maintains that she knowingly misrepresented her citizenship status on voter registration forms, a claim that carries serious legal implications.

This case not only places a spotlight on Smith’s actions but also raises broader questions about the voting rights of American Samoans and the complexities of citizenship within U.S. territories.