Elections System of the Virgin Islands   
 
 
 
                     Poll Watchers Procedural Guide 
 
         
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sunny Isle Annex Unit 4, 93A St. Croix, VI  00823 · 9200 Lockhart Garden Shopping St. Thomas, VI 00804 
                                          Website:  vivote.gov  • Fax: (340) 773-4523 
                               (340) 773-1021 (St. Croix) • (340) 774-3107 (St. Thomas) 
 
 
I. 
OTHERS ALLOWED AT THE POLLS-ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  
 
A. Poll Watchers 
Poll watchers are allowed to: 
a) Be present in the polling place before the polls open, throughout the day and 
after the polls close. Two watchers for each candidate at the Primary 
Election or three for each political party or independent at the General 
Election may be appointed.  However, only one watcher may remain in the 
polling place at any one time. 
b) Keep a list of voters for use in connection with challenging any person 
making application to vote. 
c) Periodically request to inspect the voting station when not in use by the 
voters to see if the ballots are in proper position and have not been marked 
upon or defaced. 
 
Poll watchers may: 
a) Observe the verification process of the voter.  
b) Be permanently ejected from the polling place or polling grounds upon 
the determination by the judge of elections or, in his or her absence by 
both the election inspectors, if such watchers have violated any 
proscription under Title 18 or are otherwise disrupting the election 
process. 
Poll watchers have a right to: 
a. Be present in the polling place before the polls open, throughout the day and 
after the polls close. 
b. Be present while election officers are removing cartridges and tabulating 
votes to observe the procedures. This includes absentee ballot and the 
canvassing of write-in vote. 
 
 
     Poll Watchers must: 
a. Identify themselves to the Judge of the Election, who will monitor their 
activities at the poll. 
b. Have in their possession a valid Poll Watchers certificate issued by the 
District Board of Elections. 
c. Not interfere with the orderly voting process.