Pacific / American Samoa

Clinton, Sanders try to woo American Samoans

10:07 am on 2 March 2016

US Democratic party presidential candidate hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are to phone in to American Samoa this morning hoping to secure party members' caucus votes.

In what's known as 'Super Tuesday', American Samoa joins 12 other states and territories in voting for their preferred Democratic party presidential candidate.

Party caucuses are the only time American Samoans can have a say in the selection of the United States president, as they cannot vote in the US general elections.

American Samoa Democratic Party registration began at 8am for the local Party caucus to elect a candidate for the US Presidential Race. Photo: RNZI / Fili Sagapolutele

Our correspondent Fili Sagapolutele said while Bernie Sanders does have some strong support, Hillary Clinton has a successful history in the territory.

"In [the] 2008 Democratic party vote in American Samoa, it was Mrs Clinton who won over then US senator Barack Obama and Clinton people are hopeful that this momentum will carry on this year."

Fili Sagapolutele said Mrs Clinton has already secured four of the 11 American Samoan delegate votes, including the governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga's vote.

The territory's Republican party will vote on March 22.