Over 1,000 Virgin Islanders voted early on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. A total of 505 people voted Sunday on St. Croix Sunday; 557 in St. Thomas and 41 on St. John. By. ERNICE GILBERT FOR VI CONSORTIUM
A total of 8,171 Virgin Islanders voted early this year, setting a new record for a non-gubernatorial year, according to the Election System of the Virgin Islands.
Terrell Alexandre, Election System of the VI administrative assistant, said the massive growth in turnout is attributed to a number of factors, among them Virgin Islanders looking to avoid long lines on Nov. 3 as a protective move against the coronavirus. Additionally, he said, people are simply more kin to vote early.
"There are multiple reasons. Early voting has just picked up on St. Croix because in years past I think we've had two court cases that ended it," Mr. Alexandre added.
St. Croix outpaced St. Thomas this year by 85 votes. The breakdown territory-wide is as follows: St. Thomas – 3,904, St. Croix – 3,989 and St. John 278, for a territory-wide total of 8,171 which represents 15 percent of registered voters, the Election System said.
A total of 1,103 people voted Sunday, according to Mr. Alexandre: 505 on St. Croix, 557 on St. Thomas and 41 on St. John. On Saturday, 420 individuals voted early on St. Croix.
A visit to the new St. Croix Election System office in Sunny Isle revealed a persistent line that took up the entire lobby area of the facility, as officials worked to adhere to social distancing guidelines. There were three sizable hand sanitizing stations located in the lobby area, which voters had to utilize before entering the Election System to vote.
Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes thanked Election System staff, board members, Elections officials, support agencies and electors who came to cast their ballots. Electors who were unable to cast their ballot during early voting, which ended Sunday, can cast their ballot on Election Day scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. Polls will open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the voting machine or the voting process before election day.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Election System offices at 340-773-1021 (St. Croix) or 340-774-3107 (St. Thomas).
