ST. CROIX                                  
P.O. Box 1499  
KINGSHILL, St. CROIX 
V100851 - 1499  
PHONE: (340) 773-1021  
FAX (340) 773-4523 
PHYSICAL 
ADDRESS:  
SUNNY ISLE ANNEX  
UNIT 4, 93A 
ST. CROIX VI 00823 
ST. THOMAS  
P.O. Box 6038 
ST. THOMAS, VI 00801  
PHONE (340)774-3107  
FAX: (340) 776-2391 
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:    
9200 LOCKHART GARDEN  
ST. Thomas, VI 00802 
ST.JOHN 
P.O. Box 6038 
ST. T HOMAS VI 00801  
Phone (340)776-6535  
FAX. (340) 776-2391 
 
PHYSICAL 
ADDRESS: THE 
BATTERY ST. JOHN 
IDD TOLL FREE:  
1-877-773-1021  
WEBSITE:  
www.vivote.gov  
EMAIL:  
eilectionsys@  
unitedstates.vi 
  
 
       Board of Elections  
 
TESTIMONY OF RAYMOND J. WILLIAMS 
CHAIRMAN, VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF ELECTION 
January 23, 2026 
BOE Operational Status 
 
Good morning, The Honorable Avery Lewis, Chairman Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs 
and Consumer Protection: members of the Committee and all other senators present.  
My name is Raymond J. Williams, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Board of Election. I appear before you this 
morning at your request to present testimony on the Operational Status of the Board. 
The Board of Elections met on January 16, 2026, to discuss and take action relative to its operational status. 
At the onset of the meeting, we went into debate where each member was allotted eight (8) minutes to speak 
on the matter. The majority of the members spoke relative to our internal (BOE) needs/struggles as they saw 
it. Most of which I took notes with the intent to implement most.  
After debate time expired, I opened the floor to entertain motions relative to the long burning issues and 
concerns surrounding Act number 8690 more specifically the portions that involve Title 18 VIC starting on page 
three section 11(8)(12-18), on page five section 12 and 13, and on page 9 sections 36-37. The motions were 
as follows: 
➢ To repeal section 11(b)(8)(12-18) offered by member Peter, seconded by member Mercer, objected 
to by Hassell. 6 yes, 6 no, 2 absent Motion failed. 
➢ To repeal section 12 by member Peter, seconded by member Mercer. 7 yes, 4 no, 1 abstain, 2 absent. 
Motion passed 
➢ To repeal section 36 offered by Mercer, seconded by LaRonde, objected to by member Hassell. 4 yes, 
7 no, 1 abstained, 2 absent Motion Failed 
➢ To recommend that the 36th Legislature review sections 11(b)(8)(12-18) offered by member Francis, 
seconded by member Jones-Sprauve. 6 yes 5 no, 2 absent. Motion passed 
As was represented in my letter to Senate President Milton Potter, Act 8690, has multiple sections that the 
duties overlap between the Supervisor of Elections and the Board. A determination must be made as to who 
has the powers and duties of Act 8960 as it pertains to the sections. Both the Board and the Supervisor cannot 
share these powers. 
These were the actions of the Board, but I also must represent that for more than 20 years the Board(s) and 
now Board has asked for legislative revision to Title 18 but it has been piecemeal to say the least. We need 
clarification on “what constitutes a quorum” currently in the code two different sections refer to a quorum as 
a majority of members (8 of 14) to officially have a meeting or requiring that “at least three members from a 
district be among the eight to establish a quorum.  
Where the word(s) “Joint Boards” appears must be struck and replaced with the word “Board” 
I stand ready to answer questions. Thank you.