2019 United States Virgin Islands electoral system referendum

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A referendum on amending the electoral system for the Legislature was held in the United States Virgin Islands on March 30, 2019. Although the proposal was approved by 75% of voters, voter turnout was below 10%, invaliding the result.[1]

Background[]

The referendum was a popular initiative put forward by the St. Croix Government Retirees organization. In order for the initiative to go to a referendum, the organization was required to collect the signatures of at least 10% of registered voters in the two electoral districts, St Croix and St Thomas/St John. They collected 2,343 signatures in St Croix (above the 2,298 required) and 2,553 in St Thomas/St John (where 2,530 were required), meaning that the proposal would be put to a public vote.[2]

In order for the referendum result to be valid, a majority would need to vote in favour of the proposal and voter turnout be above 50%.[1]

Proposals[]

Prior to the referendum, the 15 members of the Legislature consisted of fourteen members elected from two seven-member districts (St Croix and St Thomas/St John) and one at-large member (who had to be a St John resident).[3] The proposals would see both St Croix and St Thomas divided into two two-member districts, while St John would be a single-member district. Three at-large members would also be elected from both St Croix and St Thomas.[4]

Results[]

Choice Votes %
For 3,577 74.63
Against 1,216 25.37
Invalid/blank votes 28 –
Total 4,821 100
Registered voters/turnout 51,734 9.32
Source: VI Vote

References[]

  1. ^ a b Reapportionment Initiative Fails to Come Close to Required Turnout St Thomas Source, March 30, 2019
  2. ^ St. Croix Government Retirees, Inc. initiative completed St. Croix Government Retirees
  3. ^ History Archived 2018-10-12 at the Wayback Machine Legislature of the Virgin Islands
  4. ^ Will Voters in the USVI Change the Way They Elect Senators in March? Archived 2019-09-25 at the Wayback Machine SOTTVI News, January 29, 2019
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