How to Vote in the U.S. Virgin Islands' 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
- Last day to register to vote: Sunday, Oct. 6
- Early voting: Monday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Oct. 28
- Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Tuesday, Nov. 5
- Deadline to return an absentee ballot by mail: Friday, Nov. 15, received by 5 p.m.
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a glance
- Voter registration: Register in person at an Elections System office location. Check your registration status using the voter lookup tool.
- Absentee voting: All registered voters can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason.
- Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You won’t need to show ID, unless you’re a first-time voter.
Recent voting changes in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Voters now can cast an absentee ballot without giving a reason.
How to register to vote
Only in-person voter registration is offered in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Register by Sunday, Oct. 6.
- In person: Go to an Elections System office location, and provide an original version of acceptable identification, which includes a birth certificate, U.S. passport, military discharge form or naturalization certificate.
- Online and by mail registration are not available.
After registration, you will be issued a U.S. Virgin Islands voter ID card, which can be used as identification at the polls. Confirm your registration with the voter lookup tool.
Registering to vote on Election Day
Voters cannot register to vote on Election Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Check your voter registration status
Use the voter lookup tool to check your registration.
How to request an absentee ballot
All voters may request an absentee ballot:
- Online: Download a copy of the absentee ballot application at vivote.gov. The completed form can be emailed or faxed to esviballotstx@vi.gov or 340-773-4523 for St. Croix, and esviballotsttj@vi.gov or 340-776-2391 for St. Thomas and St. John. The deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m.
- In person: Visit an Elections System office, preferably the one in your district.
- By phone: To request that an absentee ballot be mailed to you, call 340-773-1021 for St. Croix, 340-774-3107 for St. Thomas, or 340-776-6535 for St. John (open Tuesdays and Thursdays). Or, call the Election System of the Virgin Islands at 877-773-1021. The deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m.
Returning an absentee ballot
Completed absentee ballots can be mailed at no cost or hand-delivered to your Elections System office.
- By mail: The completed ballot must arrive at your Elections System office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov 15.
- By email: Email your completed ballot by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, which is Election Day.
- In person: Drop your ballot off by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at your Elections System office.
If you have an emergency or are confined to a bed in a nursing home or hospital, you may send a representative to pick up an absentee ballot for you on Election Day.
To check the status of your ballot, call the St. Croix office at 340-773-1021, the St. Thomas office at 340-774-3107, or (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) the St. John office at 340-776-6535.
Voting in person before Election Day
You can vote at an early voting center in your district from Monday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Oct. 28.
Voting at the polls on Election Day
Cast your ballot at your local polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and only first-time voters need to show identification to vote.
Sample ballots will be available at vivote.gov.
Voter ID requirements on Election Day
You won’t need to show identification unless you are a first-time voter.
Voting with a disability
Voters who have vision impairments or physical disabilities may bring one person into the voting booth to provide assistance. If a voter needs help after entering the voting booth, two election officers may provide assistance and will leave the voting machine before voting takes place.
Voters who have a disability are given preference for using the ExpressVote machine, which is designed for those with impairments.
Voting from a nursing home or long-term care facility
Staff from nursing homes or long-term care facilities can help a resident complete an absentee ballot application, as well as pick up absentee ballots and return them for the residents.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published Jan. 8, 2024, and has been updated with new information about voting in the 2024 elections.
Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.
