A group of American Samoans living in Whittier is in trouble for voting when they were not legally allowed to do so.
The State of Alaska has announced criminal charges against 10 residents of Whittier in connection with alleged voter misconduct and perjury. The charges, filed on April 4, follow an investigation conducted by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and are being prosecuted by the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions.
All 10 are US nationals born in American Samoa, but they are not US citizens, a legal distinction that plays a central role in the charges. Under Alaska law, only US. citizens are eligible to vote in federal, state, and local elections.
“Everyone who is eligible to vote and properly registered to vote is encouraged to vote,” said Alaska Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore in a statement. “To be clear, you must be a citizen to vote in Alaska in any election — federal, state, or local.”
The accused individuals allegedly registered and voted despite not meeting the citizenship requirement, prompting charges of voter misconduct, perjury, and other related offenses. Authorities say the investigation began after concerns were raised regarding the eligibility of several voters in the small port town of Whittier.
“We will aggressively investigate any report of voter misconduct we receive and work with our partners to hold those who violate Alaska law accountable for their actions,” said Colonel Maurice Hughes of the Alaska State Troopers.
In September, roughly 25 American Samoan residents of Whittier reported being questioned by Alaska State Troopers about their immigration status and voting activities. This stemmed from an investigation by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, which was looking into potential voter misconduct. The residents, including Michael Pese and his family, claimed they were unfairly targeted, with troopers arriving at their homes in Begich Towers—where most of Whittier’s population lives, and workplaces, armed with lists and photos. They asserted their status as US nationals, not illegal immigrants, and felt the scrutiny was unwarranted.
Tupe Smith, Michael Pese’s wife, faced five earlier voter misconduct charges after running unopposed for a school board seat in 2023.
Smith is American Samoan national. She won the election, but her participation triggered scrutiny from the Alaska Division of Elections, which marked her records as “suspicious” and referred the case to investigators.
Her attorney argued that any voting was due to confusion, not intent to break the law; Smith reportedly believed she could vote in local elections as a US national, although Alaska law requires citizenship for all elections. A grand jury declined to indict her on several charges, and a dismissal motion for the remaining ones is still pending.
The names are:
Elisapeta Tauta Pese
Grace Tuie Galea’i
Jan Miriam Talia
Mark Pese
Mathew Pese
Michael Pese
Miliama Suli
Nelson Vaimoa
Salvation Mikaele
Chelsea Talia
The cases in Whittier, small and close-knit community of less than 300, bring renewed attention to the legal status of US nationals, particularly those born in American Samoa and Swains Island, who do not automatically receive US citizenship at birth, unlike individuals born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
And, the leftists will continue to insist that there is absolutely no evidence of voter fraud. None whatsoever.
Wouldn’t surprise me. My late husband and I boated for years out of Whittier in the 90s and early 2000s.Lots of goofers there 20 years ago.
Just the tip of the iceberg/.
They all will walk, because they were “confused”.
“It’s just a little bit of fraud..and it’s Whittier..so who really cares. Just look at what Trumps doing!”
-The egotistical four left wing MRAK commenters.
You know who you are.
I’m okay with this. These people ALL knew what they were doing. If there was a way to see how they voted, it would seal it. EVERY American vote is precious. These folks doing this cheapens those vote. Now, if they are refused a plea deal and face a prosecutor who will do the right thing, all will be much better.
I expect a bought and paid for judge to rule the State of Alaska has “No Standing”.
Of course there isn’t. I didn’t even my ballot in the mail until the Saturday before the due date. I had a short time to get it turned in and I wasn’t the only one this happened too. At least 2 other people I know. One is disabled and was not in any shape to get the ballot in the mail. Thank goodness she asked me if I could come and mail it for her. How many others did this happen too?
Deport!
I’m all for changing the law if their kids try out for nose tackle.
Hang them.
Deport them!
So confusing, that voter registration form question asking if you are a citizen of our country. Maybe they used an auto-pen to register.
Kick them out of the state and forever bar them from ever receiving citizenship.
Rampant voter fraud. Time to prosecute.