Persons who registered to vote during the registration period that was announced from Nov. 10-12 will not be eligible to vote in the likely Run-Off Election slated for Nov. 18.
The decision came Thursday at a Joint Boards of Elections meeting at Gertrude’s restaurant on St. Croix, where Joint Boards members voted to bar persons who were newly registered to vote this week from participating in the Run-Off Election.
On Monday, a press release was issued by the Elections System of the Virgin Islands stating that voter registration was open for those who were not yet registered to vote, but who were interested in voting in the Run-Off Election. Local media outlets, including the VI Consortium, announced the information, which said:
Supervisor Caroline Fawkes announces that Voter Registration began today, November 10th, and ends on Wednesday, November 12th. Wednesday, November 12th is the last day, due to a possible Run-Off election on November 18th. Voters who register during this period are eligible to vote in the Run-Off Election. Registration resumes again on November 23rd, 2014.
However, at Thursday’s Joint Boards meeting, St. Croix District Board Chairman Adelbert Bryan challenged Fawkes’ decision to allow voter registration this week, stating that it violated Virgin Islands Code, which requires that registration is conducted no later than 30 days prior to an election in which an eligible voter wishes to vote.
Fawkes defended her decision, stating that she sought legal guidance from Elections System counsel, Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Sailsbury, who instructed her, in the presence of four St. Thomas District Board members, to authorize voter registration from Nov. 10-12.
An updated press release will be issued from the Elections System reflecting the change in plans, Board members said today.
Only persons registered to vote before the November 4 General Election are eligible to vote in the Run-Off Election on Nov. 18.
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