Mary Moorhead. Photo Credit: V.I. LEGISLATURE
ST. CROIX — Mary Moorhead, a candidate for the V.I. Board of Education, was briefly detained on Election Day following an incident at the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School voting site. The situation, confirmed by V.I. Police Department Sgt. Kirk Fielleteau, began when Moorhead reportedly challenged the voting provisions offered by the Elections System of the Virgin Islands.
According to Sgt. Fielleteau, the initial call came from Election Supervisor Caroline Fawkes, who reported that Moorhead had caused a disturbance at the polling site. Upon arrival, Sgt. Fielleteau found two officers already on the scene, attempting to address the situation. The presiding judge at the polling location informed him that Moorhead had been issued a paper ballot but had refused to utilize the designated methods for casting her vote, insisting on the presence of a separate ballot box.
“I informed Ms. Moorhead that the issue she had with the Board of Elections was not criminal in nature,” Sgt. Fielleteau said. He explained to Moorhead that she could either use the available voting provisions or leave the premises. “You either cast a ballot using the provisions made, or you leave,” Sgt. Fielleteau recounted telling her.
Moorhead, however, was adamant about voting with her preferred method, and the disagreement continued. Sgt. Fielleteau emphasized that while Moorhead was not under arrest, she was being asked to either vote within the established parameters or exit the premises to prevent disruption.
When Moorhead continued to object, Sgt. Fielleteau issued a final directive for her to comply or leave. After she allegedly resisted further instructions, officers placed her in handcuffs and escorted her from the premises. Sgt. Fielleteau clarified that she was not under arrest but was detained to maintain order at the polling location.
Following the incident, Moorhead proceeded to cast her vote at an alternate location, the old St. Dunstan's Episcopal School Auditorium, without further incident.
