Whittier Man Cites 14th Amendment in Voter Misconduct Case

American Samoan native argues birthright citizenship should dismiss charges.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:21am

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A fractured, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color in shades of red, white, and blue, conceptually representing the complex and contested nature of citizenship and voting rights in the United States.A legal challenge to voter misconduct charges raises questions about the 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship for U.S. territories.Whittier Today

A 32-year-old Whittier, Alaska resident named Liam Tafuna is asking a state judge to dismiss his voter misconduct charges, arguing that the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause grants him U.S. citizenship due to his birth in American Samoa. Tafuna's legal challenge comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a landmark case on birthright citizenship.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal debate over the citizenship status of individuals born in U.S. territories like American Samoa. The 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship has been interpreted differently for those born in incorporated territories versus unincorporated territories like American Samoa, raising questions about equal protection under the law.

The details

Liam Tafuna, a resident of Whittier, Alaska, is facing voter misconduct charges related to the 2024 election. In his motion to dismiss the charges, Tafuna is arguing that as a person born in American Samoa, he is a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment and therefore has the right to vote in federal elections.

  • Tafuna was charged with voter misconduct related to the 2024 election.
  • Tafuna filed his motion to dismiss the charges in March 2026.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a landmark birthright citizenship case in April 2026.

The players

Liam Tafuna

A 32-year-old resident of Whittier, Alaska who was born in American Samoa and is facing voter misconduct charges.

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What they’re saying

“The 14th Amendment is clear that all persons born in the United States are citizens, and American Samoa is a U.S. territory. I have the same rights as any other American citizen.”

— Liam Tafuna

What’s next

The judge in Tafuna's case is expected to rule on the motion to dismiss the charges in the coming weeks, with the outcome potentially impacted by the Supreme Court's forthcoming decision in the landmark birthright citizenship case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal uncertainty around the citizenship status of those born in U.S. territories, an issue that could have significant implications for voting rights and political representation.