Mr. Avery Lewis, Senator



Committee on Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer

Protection, Chairman.



36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands

St.Thomas, VI USA



January 23, 2026



Greetings to Senator Avery Lewis, Chair of the Committee on Government

Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection, to the Senators of the

36th Legislature, and to all viewers.



lam Mary L. Moorhead, a community activist. Since 1966, I’ve been a

registered Independent voter. When paper ballot was the only means of

voting, and there was absolutely no electronic machines, | poll watched.

When | was a public high school educator, | helped to identify and prepare

students for Voter Registration Drives at the school. After retirement, |

attended ESVI Committee and Board meetings regularly, until COVID made

virtual replace in-person meetings.



For my lifetime, I’ve voted on paper ballot. Electronic voting gives results

fast, but should speed be priority in elections? The winners have to wait two

months to take their position. Paper ballots provide physical, auditable,

records. To actually hear votes called out for election workers to manually

tally, exemplifies accountability and transparency that enhance trust and

confidence in the Election System. To have a choice to vote on Paper ballot

and have those votes counted manually is fair and righteous.

Early 2024, | learned of Title 18, chapter 19, section 517, the mandate for

paper ballots to be placed in specific ballot boxes. On November 1, 2024, |

emailed Supervisor Fawkes a reminder of that VIC item, but nonetheless

Election November 5, 2024, voters were denied the “right to chose” because

Voting Centers in the Virgin Islands of the US did not have separate ballot

boxes. Many jurisdictions use both mechanical and manual voting so | did

not expect and was upset that Virgin Islanders were deliberately denied the

right to place paper ballots ina specific ballot box as the Virgin Islands Code

ordered.



At COMS Voting Center, when | asked for the ballot box after | voted, the

election officials knew my request was worthless because it had been

unilaterally decided not to place ballot boxes at the Voting Centers. Every

person who voted on paper ballots on November 5, 2024 were made to be

violators of 18 VIC § 517. Refusing “to go along”, | was handcuffed and

escorted out of COMS Voting Center surrounded by uniformed, armed,

_ police officers. Soon after the incident, Sgt. Kirk Fieulleteau who ordered me

handcuffed, did an interview on social media Stating Supervisor Fawkes

called him to deal with me. The Seargent described me as “very disruptive

and belligerent” at the Voting Center. Two witnesses notarized statements

denying that characterization. That 2024 election assault caused two things:

my appointment every week with a chiropractor to treat my left shoulder, and

my request for this legislation. Bill 36-0187 is a solution that millennials and

mature voters want; they want to choose to vote on paper ballots and have

those votes manually counted at the Voting Centers where they were cast.



In the 70’s, ballot boxes were at every election precinct; they were ballot

boxes specific to 18 VIC § 517. The Election System select and train persons

who take an Oath of eligibility to work at the Voting Centers; training for

manaul vote counting would be included. The Budget for the Election

System provides for the paper ballots; the budget provides compensation

for the Election poll workers, for their meals, drinks, and snacks; there

should be no significant additional cost for implementation of Bill 36-0187.

Many states are switching to Paper ballots. States do not use 100%

electronic machine since there is no paper trail for a handcount. States are

choosing voting system that produces paper record of the votes because it’s

harder to argue that an election is rigged when there are boxes of proof that

it’s not. To use paper is not regressive. Recently Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. hailed

the efficient use of paper checks for distribution to food Stamp recipients.

Stenographers are in demand because Courts specify the validity of paper-

based records. Paper-based records have the least chance of abuse or

misuse. On the other hand, computer technicians have publicly said that

any electronic device can be controlled. Supposedly, a cybersecurity

professional technician can input data and make an algorithm to produce

whatever results are desired.



Opposition to Bill 36-0187 is mostly subjective. The objectors want what’s

quick, simple and easy. The objectors even ignore the federal mandate that

the Delegate to Congress’s position must be on a separate ballot. The

objectors say it’s a problem to program the voting machines for more than

one ballot, but there are states voting on electronic machines using more

than one ballot. The objectors just prefer to ignore “Right”. Offering a choice,

Bill 36-0187 aligns constitutionally to make voting all-inclusive. The Bill

strengthens voter engagement and participation.



In conclusion, the intent of Bill 36-0187 is to protect the voter’s right to vote

on paper ballot, and have the votes of those paper ballots manually

counted at the Voting Centers where they’re cast.



Senator Lewis, Senator Gittens, Senator Francis, Senator Fonseca, Senator

Heyliger, and Senator Carla Joseph, we ask that you support and protect

voter’s right to choose to vote on paper ballot that will not touch electronic

machines.



Vote Yes for Bill 36-0187!



Vie you.

M Wale



a

POB 187 F’sted

St. Croix, V.I. 00841

Mary.moorhead13@gmail.com