Election

Elections Supervisor Advocates for More Funding to Conduct Elections

Though the Office of Management and Budget has recommended a budget of $2,500,000 for the Elections System of the Virgin Islands, Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes told lawmakers on the Senate committee of Budget, Finance and Appropriations on Thursday that the ESVI actually needs $3,000,000. She later revised that figure downward to $2,700,000 after considering the central government’s current financial woes. “I understand the government is financially challenged right now, but there's some funding that they need to shake out from organizations that don't spend their money, to give it to organizations that need the balance of the money,” Ms. Fawkes told senators. She said the ESVI desperately requires the additional funding to effectively conduct primary and general elections. In FY2024, the Election System received a $450,000 appropriation to host both elections. According to Ms.Fawkes, the amount was “not sufficient based on historical data.” She testified that a primary electi...