How USVI Elections Work
USVI elections follow their own rules, separate from how elections work on the mainland. If you’ve moved here from a state, some of this will be familiar and some won’t. This page covers the basics.
On This Page:
The Structure · Political Parties · Primaries · General Election and Runoffs · Your District · Absentee Voting · Military and Overseas Voting · Early Voting · Provisional Voting · Who Can Run for Office
The Structure
The U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated territory governed under the Revised Organic Act of 1954. This shapes how elections work here in several important ways.
The territory elects its own governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket, to four-year terms. Governors are limited to two consecutive terms.
The Legislature of the Virgin Islands is a single-chamber body of 15 senators, all elected to two-year terms. There are no term limits for senators. Seven senators represent the St. Croix district, seven represent the St. Thomas–St. John district, and one at-large senator must be a St. John resident. All 15 seats are on the ballot every even-numbered year — they are not staggered.
The territory elects one delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. The delegate can introduce legislation and vote in committee but cannot vote on the House floor. This seat is up every two years, though not in 2026.
The Board of Elections is composed of 14 elected members — seven from each district — who oversee voter registration and the conduct of elections. Board seats are elected in partisan elections.
What USVI Residents Cannot Vote For
USVI residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections. This is a consequence of the territory’s unincorporated status under the Revised Organic Act. The territory has no Electoral College votes. Congress can impose laws on the territory and override local legislation without the consent of USVI residents.
Political Parties
The officially recognized political parties in the USVI — those with formal status through the Elections System — are the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands, the Independent Citizens Movement (ICM), and the Republican Party of the Virgin Islands. Candidates may also run as independents.
The ICM is unique to the Virgin Islands — it has no mainland equivalent. It was founded in 1968 and has a significant history in territorial politics.
Other organizations to be aware of:
The following organizations receive additional context here because their status requires explanation, not because of any editorial preference. DahVote covers all parties and political organizations with the same factual standard.
The Green Party is not recognized as an official party in the territory. The USVI is entitled to send delegates to national Green Party (GPUS) conventions, but locally the party has no established status, no bylaws on file with the Elections System, and has not fielded candidates in USVI elections.
TheFuture is a civic and political organization that launched ahead of the 2026 cycle. Founded by Imani Daniel, Rudel Hodge Jr., Shani DeWindt, and Hadiya Sewer — several of whom are delegates to the Sixth Constitutional Convention — TheFuture is operating as a candidate recruitment and endorsement framework rather than a traditional political party. The organization uses a 23-marker rubric to vet candidates across senatorial and board races, with a stated focus on generational change and systemic governance reform. As of early 2026, TheFuture has not sought formal party recognition through the Elections System. Whether they do will affect how their endorsed candidates appear on the ballot. DahVote will track their status as the 2026 cycle develops.
Primaries
The USVI holds partisan primary elections. Each party nominates candidates for the general election through its primary. Primary dates are set by the Elections System for each election cycle.
General Election and Runoffs
All registered voters, regardless of party, vote in the general election.
For the governor and lieutenant governor race only: if no ticket receives more than 50% of the vote in the general election, the top two tickets advance to a runoff election two weeks later. Legislature and Board of Elections races do not have runoffs — the candidates with the most votes win.
Your District
The territory is divided into two election districts based on where you live: the St. Croix district and the St. Thomas–St. John district. When you register, you are assigned to a district. You vote for candidates in your district only, except for territory-wide races (governor/lieutenant governor) and the at-large St. John Senate seat.
Absentee Voting
If you cannot vote in person on Election Day, you can request an absentee ballot. This includes USVI residents who are temporarily off-island, as well as those who are unable to get to a polling place.
Absentee ballot information: vivote.gov/voters/absentee-ballot
Military and Overseas Voting
USVI residents serving in the military or living outside the territory can register and vote through the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) program.
Details: vivote.gov/voters/military-and-overseas-voting-move
Early Voting
The USVI offers early voting before Election Day. Dates, hours, and locations are announced by the Elections System ahead of each election. Check vivote.gov for updates as elections approach.
Provisional Voting
If your eligibility is in question at the polls — for example, if your name doesn’t appear on the voter list — you may cast a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are reviewed after Election Day and counted if eligibility is confirmed.
Details: vivote.gov/voters/provisional-procedure
Who Can Run for Office
Candidates for the Legislature must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years old, qualified voters in the Virgin Islands, and residents of the territory for at least three years prior to the election. Candidates cannot be convicted felons or current government employees in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches.
Qualifications for all offices: vivote.gov/candidates/qualifications-for-offices
For the most current official information on elections procedures, visit vivote.gov. Found an error? Submit a correction or email corrections@dahvote.com.