Politics

Superior Court Orders Boards Of Elections To Form Law-Mandated Single Board, Says All Actions Taken By Boards After August 1, 2017 Void

ST. THOMAS -- The Superior Court of the Virgin Islands on Thursday handed down a resounding victory to the Government of the Virgin Islands, following a suit the G.V.I., through the Department of Justice, levied against the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix district Boards of Elections, alleging that the boards had failed to follow a 2016 law that created a single, territorial board. In a declaratory action handed down by Judge Denise M. Francois, the Superior Court said the defendants -- all members of the two district boards -- failed to convene as a single board as required by Act No. 7892, and as amended by Act. No. 7982. Judge Francois also ruled that all meetings held by the boards after August 1, 2017, were in contravention of the law, and actions taken by the boards after the aforementioned date are void. The court further declared that the single Board of Elections is the only policy making body authorized to establish procedures for elections within the U.S. Virgin Islands. T...