The Virgin Islands Board of Elections debated candidate qualifications, residency requirements, and nomination petition procedures during a Monday emergency meeting that highlighted ongoing disputes surrounding the 2026 election cycle. The meeting was a continuation of Friday’s board meeting, which was recessed for lack of a quorum.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on congressional candidate Jimmy Weber and whether election law allows candidates to correct filing deficiencies after submission. Virgin Islands Code, Title 18, Section 401(a)(1) was referenced.
Weber, who is seeking to run for delegate to Congress as an independent candidate, was disqualified by Elections Supervisor Caroline Fawkes after filing nomination papers in the St. Thomas-St. John district instead of the St. Croix district, where he resides.
Board Chair Raymond Williams argued that the law was clear regarding filing requirements.
“I believe that the law was very clear when it states that you must file in a district where you reside. Simple,” Williams said.
Other members disagreed, arguing that candidates should be given an opportunity to remedy filing defects.
“I think this situation could be solved very, very simple,” Cleopatra Peter said. “If there is a defect, remedy it in three days. If he doesn’t bring it to us, then cancel him out.”
Following discussion, the board voted 4-3, with one abstention, to give Weber three days to cure the issue. Fawkes said Weber would be required to retrieve the nomination packet filed on St. Thomas and submit it on St. Croix within the allotted time period. Peter, Barbara LaRonde, Harriet Mercer, and Atanya Springette voted in favor. Kareem Francis, Williams, and Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal voted against. Cornelius JnBaptiste abstained. Chaneel Callwood, Franz Christian Jr., Nathan Fletcher, Shikima Jones, and Michael Joseph were absent.
The board also considered the candidacy of gubernatorial hopeful Stephen “Smokey” Frett and his proposed running mate, Derek Bermudez. Fawkes informed members that Bermudez was not a registered voter in the Virgin Islands and therefore did not meet the constitutional qualifications to run for lieutenant governor. After discussion, the board upheld the disqualification and agreed to formally notify Frett that the decision would stand.
The board also discussed residency-related questions involving candidate Ida Smith. While members debated the need for additional documentation, Fawkes said she had not received the information some members referenced.
“I have no letter from Ms. Ida Smith,” Fawkes told the board. “She got a letter requesting information. Again, that’s what she sent to the board members, so I have nothing on that.”
The meeting also included debate over the role of political parties in the election process, particularly the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands.
Peter criticized what she viewed as excessive influence by party leadership, arguing, “It’s a private club. And now we, the Election System and the Board of Elections, are allowing a private club to determine how we run our election.”
Board member Francis pushed back, noting that previous court rulings have upheld the authority of political parties to establish their own candidate-selection rules.
“The courts already ruled that the parties have the right to dictate their process and who is going to represent them,” Francis said. “If you intend to run as a Democrat or as a Republican, then the court ruled that you have to adhere to whatever those parties’ rules and processes are.”
Another appeal involved aspiring Delegate to Congress candidate Jed JohnHope, whose nomination papers contained only 28 signatures from the St. Thomas-St. John district and three signatures from St. Croix, far short of the 100 signatures required from each district under Virgin Islands law.
Fawkes defended the disqualification, citing the requirements of Virgin Islands election law.
“When you have an issue such as that, there’s no cure mechanism,” Fawkes said. “You have to have signatures.”
Fawkes later informed the board that the Office of the Attorney General had issued an opinion supporting the disqualification decision, and members ultimately upheld the Elections System’s determination.
The board also discussed aspiring senatorial candidate Jaylen Gabriel. Fawkes told members Gabriel had failed to return his nomination petition after receiving a notice of defect and later indicated he no longer wished to seek office. The board took no action on the matter.
Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly questioned how election laws should be interpreted and applied, particularly when candidate filing errors occur.
In addition to candidate appeals, the board reviewed meeting minutes, discussed budget matters, considered correspondence from candidates, and addressed procedural issues related to board operations. Members also attempted to fill the vacant vice chair position created by the resignation of former Vice Chair Lawrence Boschulte, who stepped down to pursue a Senate seat. However, a motion to appoint a successor failed on a tie vote.
Before adjournment, LaRonde revisited the issue of Ida Smith’s residency and a prior Attorney General opinion regarding her eligibility to run for delegate to Congress. A motion was introduced that would have directed Fawkes to withdraw a request for residency documentation from Smith. However, the matter remained unresolved after the board lost its quorum when Belardo de O’Neal left before a vote could be taken.
Several matters remain unresolved and are expected to return before the board as election officials continue preparations for the 2026 primary and general elections.
