A referendum on
direct election of governors and vice governors was held in
American Samoa on 31 August 1976. Voters were asked to approve a proposal which permitted direct popular election of
governors and
lieutenant governors. Turnout was low, but higher than previously at 24%. At this referendum, the fourth time the same proposal had been put before voters, it was solidly passed and direct election of governors and their lieutenants began with the
election the following year.[1]