US EditionAlaska woman appeals voter fraud charges in case that puts spotlight on status of American Samoans
The appeal highlights the legal complexities of American Samoan citizenship and voter eligibility, with 11 people indicted in Whittier, Alaska, including Smith's family members.
- On Jan. 15, the Alaska Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Anchorage on an appeal to dismiss felony voter-misconduct charges against Tupe Smith.
- Prosecutors point to voter forms from 2020 and 2022 that warn noncitizens are ineligible and say Smith falsely claimed U.S. citizenship, while Smith says City of Whittier election officials told her to mark U.S. citizen as no U.S. national option existed.
- Arguing statutory language, Whitney Brown said `knowingly` and `intentionally` differ, urging dismissal as no evidence shows Smith intended to mislead; Assistant Attorney General Kayla Doyle said the terms can overlap in Alaska Court of Appeals.
- The Alaska Court of Appeals will decide later, as prosecutors have also charged 18 other American Samoan residents in Whittier, including Smith's husband and mother-in-law, raising broader concerns among voting rights advocates.
- The case spotlights how American Samoan status affects voting eligibility, with Neil Weare warning Alaska could be `the only state to our knowledge with such a low bar for felony voter fraud` and advocates noting costly paths to citizenship.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Alaska Appeals Court takes up American Samoa-born woman's voter misconduct case
Like other U.S. nationals who are not full U.S. citizens, Tupe Smith of Whittier thought she could vote in local elections but not presidential elections. A key argument in her case is whether she intentionally submitted false voter registration forms.
Associated Press News
Alaska woman appeals voter fraud charges in case that puts spotlight on status of American Samoans
A state appeals court is being asked to dismiss felony voter misconduct charges against an Alaska resident born in American Samoa.
Americans by name, prosecuted for voting in Alaska
Mike Pese and Tupe Smith stand with their children outside of the Begich Towers in Whittier, Alaska. Pese and Smith both face charges related to voter fraud. (Photo by Ash Adams/Bolts)This story was produced in partnership between Bolts and High Country News and is republished with permission. I. The state troopers came first for Tupe Smith. They arrived in a pair on November 30, 2023, travelling a stretch of highway that starts in Anchorage bu…
AK court to decide voting status and charges for American Samoan
ANCHORAGE — A state appeals court will decide whether to dismiss felony voter misconduct charges against an Alaska resident born in American Samoa, one of numerous cases that has put a spotlight on the complex citizenship status of people born…
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