STARK CONTRAST IN VOTER TURNOUT BETWEEN USVI DISTRICTS

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The 2024 General Election concluded on November 5 in the United States Virgin Islands, with unofficial results revealing voter turnout and top candidates in both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix districts.

In the St. Thomas-St. John District, turnout was notably low, with just 22.99% of registered voters casting 7,166 ballots. Milton E. Potter (DEM) emerged as the top vote-getter with 3,976 votes, securing his position as a leading representative in the district. The race also welcomed Avery Lewis (DEM) as the only new senator, replacing Donna Frett-Gregory, who did not seek re-election. Seven candidates earned positions in the district legislature, reflecting a mix of incumbents and fresh leadership.

The full results for the St. Thomas-St. John District is as follows:

  1. Milton E. Potter (DEM) – 3,976 votes
  2. Alma Francis Heyliger (IND) – 3,872 votes
  3. Dwayne M. DeGraff (IND) – 3,606 votes
  4. Marvin A. Blyden (DEM) – 3,429 votes
  5. Avery L. Lewis (DEM) – 3,349 votes
  6. Carla Joseph (DEM) – 3,338 votes
  7. Ray Fonseca (DEM) – 2,257 votes (At-Large Senate Seat)

On St. Croix, where voter turnout reached a robust 55.13% with 8,172 ballots cast, the election brought a mix of incumbent and new Democratic leadership to the Senate. Clifford A. Joseph and Hubert L. Frederick made their first entries into the Senate, joining five incumbents. In a surprising turn, Senator Samuel Carrion placed 9th, failing to secure one of the seven available seats in the district, trailing behind Diane Capehart in 8th place.

Here are the top results for the St. Croix District Senate race:

  1. Kurt Vialet (DEM) – 4,825 votes
  2. Clifford A. Joseph (DEM) – 3,771 votes
  3. Novelle E. Francis, Jr. (DEM) – 3,410 votes
  4. Kenneth “Kenny” Gittens (DEM) – 3,354 votes
  5. Franklin D. Johnson (IND) – 3,280 votes
  6. Hubert L. Frederick (DEM) – 3,201 votes
  7. Marise C. James (DEM) – 3,071 votes

As the territory awaits certification of these unofficial results, the elections reveal continued Democratic leadership across both districts while introducing new faces in each, signalling potential shifts in legislative priorities and strategies in the 36th Legislature.